SF Giants claim pitcher from Dodgers who could help stretched bullpen

DENVER — Right-handed pitcher Jake Jewell is flipping sides in the Giants-Dodgers rivalry.

Fewer than 10 days after Los Angeles claimed the reliever off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, Jewell was designated for assignment by the Dodgers and claimed by the Giants. Upon adding Jewell to their 40-man roster, the Giants optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento.

Jewell was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster on Aug. 31, which made him eligible for the team’s postseason roster, but now that he’s a member of the Giants organization, Jewell will be unable to pitch in the playoffs.

The Giants likely claimed Jewell for insurance purposes as the club has exhausted its bullpen in recent days and plans to continue relying on relievers while right-handed starters Johnny Cueto and Alex Wood remain on the injured list.

Jewell spent much of the 2020 season in the Giants’ organization as he pitched for the club in spring training and worked at the team’s Sacramento alternate site in August and September, but he elected free agency in the offseason and has spent most of 2021 with the Cubs.

The righty only appeared in 10 games for Chicago as he posted a 9.90 ERA while striking out 10 batters in 10 innings. Jewell gave up 18 hits including five home runs and five walks with the Cubs, but he’s posted a 2.60 ERA in 34 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level this season.

Earlier this season, the Giants designated right-hander Jimmie Sherfy for assignment and watched as the Dodgers claimed him on waivers. Sherfy became the first player to pitch for both the Giants and Dodgers in the same season since Bill Sayles, Bill Lohrman and Johnny Allen all pitched for the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943.

Jewell will not have the chance to join Sherfy and 14 other pitchers who have appeared for both franchises in the same year because he did not throw a major league pitch in his brief time in the Dodgers organization.