" Jason Giambi, who struggled through a half-season return to Oakland prior to landing on the disabled list in late July, was unconditionally released on Friday by the Athletics.

Giambi, 38, had been on the team's DL with a strained right quad since July 20. Prior to that, he hit 11 home runs and drove in 40 runs, but batted only .193 in 83 games.

It was not the type of homecoming season the A's anticipated when they re-signed the power-hitting face of their franchise from 1995-2001, after which the left-handed-hitting first baseman signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees. "