Giants sign Brad Penny to minor league contract

[Upton]

The Giants added an experienced arm on Friday, signing veteran major league pitcher Bred Penny to a minor league contract.

Penny threw off a bullpen mound Friday to the satisfaction of pitching coach Dave Righetti, manager Bruce Bochy and GM Brian Sabean. He will report to extended spring camp in Arizona on Monday, vice president Bobby Evans said via text message.Penny was added "as a candidate to help us out of the bullpen," Evans wrote.

The Giants are down two right-handers from their opening-day bullpen, following Guillermo Mota's 100-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance and closer Brian Wilson's season-ending right elbow surgery.

http://www.csnbayarea.com/baseball-san-francisco-giants/giants-talk/Giants-sign-Penny-to-minor-league-contra?blockID=710488&feedID=2796

Penny has some horrific stats from last year in Detroit, and he apparently got hurt in Japan and didn't like it there at all. Thing is, the Giants really need some help in the BP..mostly in middle relief, as anyone who watched last night's game can attest to. Penny's time with the Giants in 2009 was a pleasant one for both parties, as he was very effective. So why not take a chance the magic can be revived?

Smart low risk move..

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. If they're looking for help from Bad Penny, well...good luck with that.

The only good thing he had going for him was an engagement (now broken) to Karina Smirnoff.

[Upton]

2. We're going to see..

the Giants say he's going to be ready by the end of the month. When Penny pitched for the Giants in the last month or so of 2009, he went 4-1 with a WHIP under 1. Other teams were interested, but Penny wants to come to SF. I'm sure he figures AT&T Park will be good for whatever ails him...hope he's right, the loss of both Mota and Wilson has really hurt.