San Diego Padres Claim Pitcher Mauro Zarate

San Diego Padres request release waivers on infielder Marcus Giles

10/26/2007, SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Padres today claimed right-handed pitcher Mauro Zarate off waivers from the Florida Marlins. Additionally, the club requested unconditional release waivers on infielder Marcus Giles. Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcements.

Article continues below...

Mauro Zarate, 24, made his Major League debut on Aug. 7 at Philadelphia and appeared in four games for the Marlins in 2007. The right-hander worked a combined 5.0 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) while striking out three and walking one. In a combined 56 games between Single-A Jupiter, Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Albuquerque, Zarate went 4-3 with two saves, a 2.10 ERA (20 ER/85.2 IP), 75 strikeouts, 32 walks and a .205 opponents batting average (62-for-303).

Originally signed by the Marlins as a non-drafted free agent on June 13, 2001, Zarate has a career 22-24 record with 25 saves, a 3.02 ERA (153 ER/455.2 IP), 425 strikeouts and 138 walks in 209 games (27 starts) over seven Minor League seasons.

Giles appeared in 116 games for the Padres in 2007, making 106 starts at second base. He hit .229 (96-for-420) with 19 doubles, three triples, four home runs, 39 RBI, 52 runs scored and 44 walks. The 29-year-old Giles posted his best numbers in April, going 32-for-98 (.327) with seven doubles, two homers, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored and eight walks.

Over parts of seven Major League seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2001-06) and Padres (2007), Giles has a career average of .277 (813-for-2934) with 187 doubles, 16 triples, 76 home runs 333 RBI, 468 runs scored and 318 walks.

Source: MLB