Jeffrey Alan Samardzija (/səˈmɑːrdʒə/; born January 23, 1985), nicknamed "Shark", is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

He was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, and made his major-league (MLB) debut in 2008.

[citation needed] He made his first impact at Notre Dame as a right-handed pitcher for the baseball team, finishing second in the Big East Conference in both earned run average (ERA) (2.95) and opponents' batting average (.209), and being named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.

[citation needed] Samardzija set single-season school records in both receiving yardage and touchdown receptions.

[5] Samardzija was twice selected as one of the three finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, for the season's outstanding college football receiver in both 2005 and 2006.

[citation needed] On January 19, 2007, Samardzija announced he would forgo the NFL Draft and commit to a baseball career.

[9] On July 25, 2008, Samardzija was called up to join the bullpen of the Chicago Cubs to replace Kerry Wood, who was placed on the DL.

Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella was impressed with Samardzija's major league debut, saying he may never see the minors again.

[12] In 2009, Samardzija was optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs after failing to make the team out of spring training.

He made his first major league start on August 12 against Pedro Martínez of the Philadelphia Phillies, a 12–5 loss.

[18] He threw his first major league shutout on May 27, 2013, against the Chicago White Sox, allowing two hits and two walks.

[22] On June 18, 2014, the Cubs offered Samardzija a five-year, club friendly deal that included multiple option years, which he rejected.

[24] On July 5, 2014, Samardzija, along with Jason Hammel, was traded to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for top shortstop Addison Russell, pitcher Dan Straily, outfielder Billy McKinney, and cash.

[26] On December 9, 2014, the Athletics traded Samardzija along with Michael Ynoa to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt, Rangel Ravelo and Josh Phegley.

[27] Samardzija and the White Sox avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal for $9.8 million on January 16, 2015.

[28] Samardzija made his first start for the White Sox on April 6, 2015, during opening day against the Kansas City Royals.

[31] On July 9, he pitched a complete-game shutout and allowed only four hits in a 2–0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at US Cellular Field.

[39] In his first season as a Giant, Samardzija was fifth in the National League with 203.1 innings pitched and finished 2016 with a 12–11 record and a 3.81 ERA.