Giants, Brad Penny nearing deal to bring right-hander to San Francisco

Giants working on deal to sign pitcher Brad Penny

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants were working Monday to finalize a deal that would add right-hander Brad Penny to their rotation for the stretch run.

A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press that details still needed to be completed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations with Penny were ongoing.

Penny cleared waivers and needed to sign by Monday to be eligible for postseason play with the Giants. San Francisco, idle on Monday before opening a series at Philadelphia on Tuesday, is tied with Colorado for the NL wild-card lead and looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

The 31-year-old Penny was released by Boston on Thursday after going 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA this season — including 1-6 in his last 11 starts. The Red Sox signed the two-time All-Star to a $5 million, one-year contract last winter after he spent four-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Penny won 16 games for the Dodgers in 2006 and 2007, his career high. He was hampered by shoulder problems last year.

With injured lefty Randy Johnson on the 60-day disabled list, Penny would provide San Francisco with another proven starter to join reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.

Penny went 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in two starts during the 2003 World Series, helping Florida beat the New York Yankees.

If the deal gets finished, Penny would likely pitch Wednesday because the Giants have an open spot after pushing Lincecum back to Thursday to give him an extra day of rest. San Francisco optioned fifth starter Joe Martinez to Triple-A Fresno on Friday.

The Big Unit, who won his 300th game in June, hopes to return from a shoulder injury in a few weeks but most likely as a reliever.

Penny is in his 10th major league season. He was a fifth-round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1996.