Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Ana Kieu

The San Francisco Giants had some good news for their fans on Friday morning. The Giants signed switch-pitcher Pat Venditte, a free agent who last pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Venditte, a 33-year-old, also pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics.

In case you need a refresher, Venditte is an ambidextrous pitcher and the only MLB pitcher who throws both right and left and normally selects the better arm that would give him a platoon or statistical advantage. NBC Sports Bay Area first reported the two sides were close to an agreement.

Venditte is the first former Dodgers pitcher to cross paths with the new Giants president of baseball operations Farhad Zaidi, who most recently worked for the Dodgers. Former Dodgers prospect and outfielder Henry Ramos agreed to a minor league deal with the Giants earlier this offseason.

The Giants non-tendered right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland at the end of November. As a result, they’ve received calls from several teams about trading some of their veteran relievers.

Venditte became the second reliever to join the Giants this offseason. Venditte follows the path of left-handed pitcher Travis Bergen, who was selected out of the Blue Jays’ organization in the Rule 5 Draft.

The Giants’ signing of Venditte was a unique signing to say the least. But the Giants got what they wanted as they added some depth to their bullpen.