60 Hunter Strickland RP

Strickland wasn't tendered a contract by the Giants for the 2019 season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Strickland figures to be an attractive free agent for a team looking to solidify its bullpen over the offseason. The 30-year-old right-hander appeared in 49 games for the Giants last year, registering a 3.97 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 37 punchouts over 45.1 frames.

Strickland walked a batter before recording the final out of Monday's 2-0 win over Arizona, picking up his 14th save in the process.

Strickland started the season as the Giants' closer and fared well until injuring his hand June 18. During his time on the DL, Will Smith took a stranglehold on ninth-inning duties, and his absence over the past two days was scheduled after pitching in the previous three contests, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Mark Melancon -- who was also held out due to recent heavy usage -- is likely ahead of Strickland on the bullpen depth chart as well, so fantasy owners shouldn't overreact to Monday's save.

The Giants activated Strickland (finger) from the 60-day disabled list Saturday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

With lefty Will Smith dominating out in the closer's role since taking over, Strickland will return to the club as the setup man for the Giants. He's been no slouch out of the bullpen either this season, posting a 2.84 ERA and an 8.24 K/9 ratio over 31.2 innings, and his return should lock down the late innings for San Francisco.

Strickland (finger) will be a setup man when he returns from the disabled list, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Strickland is expected to be activated Saturday, Crowley reports. The 29-year-old had a 2.84 ERA with 13 saves prior to his injury, but current closer Will Smith has been even better, recording a 2.01 ERA, so he'll keep the job.

Strickland (finger) is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday after striking out two in a scoreless inning for the River Cats on Tuesday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

This will mark Strickland's first time pitching on consecutive days since breaking his finger back in June. Assuming everything goes off without a hitch, the reliever will likely be cleared to rejoin the Giants on Saturday when first eligible. When Strickland does return, it's unclear if he'll immediately recapture the closing role with Will Smith performing well in his absence.