GOODYEAR, Arizona (AP) ― Jason Giambi thought he would be a manager this season. Instead, he’s still playing.
Giambi drove in two runs and Justin Masterson outpitched Ryu Hyun-jin on Wednesday, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After interviewing for the Colorado Rockies’ managerial opening ― which went to Walt Weiss ― the 42-year-old Giambi signed a minor league deal with Cleveland just ahead of the start of spring training with hopes of playing one more season in an 18-year career.
He singled and hit a sacrifice fly to pace the Indians’ offense against the Dodgers.
Ryu agreed to a six-year, $36 million deal with Los Angeles in December. He allowed two runs and three hits in three innings. The five-time Korean Baseball Organization strikeout leader struck out five.
The 25-year old is working on his breaking ball while trying to win one of the three open spots in the Dodgers’ rotation.
“Since the first time I pitched against the Angels, I feel that my breaking pitches have improved,” Ryu said through an interpreter.