Giese spent the 2002 season and the first month of 2003 in the Padres minor league system before being traded for future considerations to the Philadelphia Phillies.[4]
On January 8, 2007, Giese signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[4] He was a non-roster invitee to the team's spring training. Giese made his MLB debut with the Giants on September 8, 2007, tossing two scoreless innings in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[6] Giese made eight relief appearances with the Giants, recording an ERA of 4.82.[7]
New York Yankees
Giese signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees in the 2007-2008 offseason.[8][9] The Yankees purchased Giese's contract from Triple-A on June 3, 2008, and added him to the active roster.[10] He was optioned back to Triple-A one-day later. Giese was called up again on June 6, 2008, due to an injury to Chris Britton.[11]
On June 8, 2008, Giese pitched 2+2⁄3 innings of hitless relief for his first major league victory.[12] On June 21, Giese made his first career start against the Cincinnati Reds replacing the injured Chien-Ming Wang, tossing 6+2⁄3 innings while allowing three runs (all unearned) in a 6-0 loss.[13] On August 15, 2008, Giese was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right rotator cuff tendinitis.[14] After recovering, Giese returned to the Yankee bullpen with a scoreless inning of relief against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 2, 2008.[15]
On April 4, 2009, Giese was designated for assignment to make room for infielder Ramiro Peña.[16]
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics claimed Giese off of waivers on April 8.[17] He would pitch in seven games (one start) for the Athletics, going 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA.[7] On May 18, Giese was placed on the disabled list due to a nerve issue in his right elbow.[18] He had season-ending Tommy John surgery in June, and was expected to miss 12 to 18 months.[19] In October 2009, he was granted free agency. On January 27, 2010, Giese re-signed with the A's on a minor league contract.[20] He began the season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, making eight relief appearances while recording a 1.74 ERA before suffering a torn labrum.[5][7] He announced his retirement after the season.[5]
Scouting
In January 2014, the Yankees hired Giese as a scout.[21] When Kevin Reese was promoted to director of player development in 2017, the Yankees promoted Giese to succeed Reese as director of professional scouting.[22]
Personal life
Giese and his wife Shannon were married on December 28, 2001. Their daughter Avery was born on January 7, 2006.[citation needed]