Giants release Wilson Valdez, Ramon Ramirez

The San Francisco Giants have released infielder Wilson Valdez and right-hander Ramon Ramirez, according to Henry Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle.

Panda is irritated

The Giants' third baseman has been sidelined with an irritated nerve in his right arm.

Both Valdez and Ramirez had opt-out clauses in their contracts, requiring the Giants to make a call on them now, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area. Baggarly notes that San Francisco would like to re-sign Ramirez to a minor league contract if he doesn't find a better opportunity elsewhere.

Valdez was one of several players fighting for a reserve infielder role with the Giants. The 34-year-old spent the 2012 season with the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .206/.236/.227 with four doubles while manning second and third base, shortstop and center field.

Ramirez was an effective reliever for the Giants from 2010-11, maintaining an ERA of 2.07 over 91 appearances. San Francisco traded the right-hander to the New York Mets last offseason along with Andres Torres for Angel Pagan. He then signed a minor league deal with the Giants in February.

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