San Francisco Giants sign relief pitcher Joe Nathan to a minor league contract

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Jon Heyman reports the news on Tuesday the San Francisco Giants have signed former Chicago Cubs right handed relief pitcher Joe Nathan to a minor league contract. Nathan had been signed to a one year contract by the Cubs on May 17, 2016 after he pitched one game for the Detroit Tigers during the 2015 Major League Baseball season before he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow that end his pitching performances for the year. Nathan was called up to the pitch for the Chicago Cubs on July 24 from their AAA minor league team the Iowa Cubs. The Cubs designated Nathan for assignment on August 5, 2016 after he pitched four games for the Cubs with a record of one win and no losses with an earned run average of 0.00. The Giants are hoping that the 41 year old relief pitcher will be helpful in increasing their chances of making a playoff run in 2016 when he is called up from their minor league team later this year. Nathan returns to the Giants for the first time since he made his debut in the Major Leagues in 1999 where he pitched for through the 2003 before he was traded to the Minnesota Twins before the start of the 2004 baseball season.