Former Dodgers Fan Favorite Outfielder Released by Division Rival

A situation that simply didn't pan out.

After trading for him at the trade deadline, a familiar face to Dodgers fans was cut from his new NL West team earlier this week. 

In a move that was slightly surprising considering their choice to buy in on his services at the deadline, the Giants cut former Dodger A.J. Pollock from their roster while recovering from injury. 

Source: The Giants have decided to release outfielder AJ Pollock. He played for Triple-A Sacramento over the weekend on an injury rehab assignment. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 5, 2023

After a hitless six games and a subsequent ailment, Pollock's Giants tenure has come to a swift end following San Francisco's choice to trade for him from Seattle at the deadline. 

Pollock's 2023 hasn't exactly been a great one after his stint in the AL West also wasn't going great. 

In 49 games with the Mariners, the 35-year-old outfielder hit just .165 with a paltry OPS figure of .524, far below league averages and his own standards considering his great career up to this point. 

A known power bat, Pollock's stint with the Dodgers paid off in spades with a World Series title in 2020 and two other stellar seasons both in 2019 and 2021. 

Hitting 52 home runs for Los Angeles and compiling an OPS above .800, Pollock was a key bat in the Dodgers lineup for a number of seasons before being traded to the White Sox for Craig Kimbrel. 

In a deal that really didn't work for either side, Pollock then joined the Mariners in 2023 after his lone season for Chicago. 

An All-Star in Arizona after breaking out with a stellar 2015 season, it looks as though Pollock's major league career could be headed for a close. 

Unless a playoff contender picks him up on the waiver wire, Pollock will likely be watching the postseason from home. 

If this is truly the end, Dodgers fans won't forget his contributions to their World Series victory and countless other memories he's given them.