SAN FRANCISCO — Former LSU pitcher Kurt Ainsworth was traded along with Damian Moss and minor league prospect Ryan Hannaman from the San Francisco Giants to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday afternoon in exchange for Sindey Ponson, the organization announced.
Ainsworth, a Tiger from 1997-99, has been on the disabled list with a rare right stress fracture of his scapula and may be activated sometime in August. Prior to being put on the 15-day disabled list, Ainsworth had a 5-4 record with a 3.82 ERA in 66.0 innings pitched in 2003. He struck out 48 with 26 walks in 11 appearances.
Ainsworth had reconstructive elbow ligament surgery early in his college career at LSU, but the Baton Rouge native and Catholic High product pitched at least 140 innings in each of his first three pro seasons.
Since becoming the seventh LSU player in history to be drafted in the first round (24th overall pick by the Giants), the First-Team All-American and 2000 Olympic gold medalist debuted in the major leagues on Sept. 5, 2001.
In three season for the Giants (2001-03), Ainsworth was 6-6 with a 3.56 ERA in 19 appearances including 15 starts. He threw 93.2 innings and allowed 41 runs (37 earned) on 91 hits with 66 strikeouts and 40 walks.
After pitching 25 innings for San Francisco in 2002 while spending most of his time in Fresno, he earned a spot in the Giants’ rotation out of spring training.
While at LSU, Ainsworth won two letters (1998-99) while compiling a 13-6 overall record and a 3.51 ERA. He struck out 171 and walked only 55 in 138.1 innings. During the 1999 campaign, he threw five complete games and added a save.