SF Giants activate Alex Wood, recall Tristan Beck from Triple-A

The SF Giants welcomed back a pair of pitchers on Saturday. Alex Wood was activated from the injured list, whereas Tristan Beck was recalled from Triple-A. John Brebbia (lat strain) and Wilmer Flores (foot contusion) were sent to the injured list according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants activate Alex Wood, recall Tristan Beck from Triple-A

The Giants wasted no time in getting both pitchers into game action as Wood started Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, going five scoreless innings against his former team. Beck recorded the save and closed out the final four innings of the game.

The Giants have been relying on bullpen games a lot recently. The starting rotation currently consists of Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Cobb, and Logan Webb along with Wood. They have been filling in the gaps with bullpen games, using either Sean Manaea or Jakob Junis as the bulk innings reliever.

That approach has been working but Wood could help offset the bullpen workload if he is able to go every fifth day. The left-handed hurler has posted a 4.11 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, and a 2.13 SO/W ratio in nine outings in 2023. His command has been unusually poor, but that could be a product of not being able to establish a groove on the mound yet due to injuries.

The lefty has made multiple trips to the injured list this year, but the Giants hope that those injuries are behind him. He had his best start yet on Saturday.

On the other hand, Beck continues to excel in a tough role. He has often been used as a bulk innings reliever and done a nice job despite the unpredictable workload that can come with that role. In 14 appearances, Beck has posted a 3.31 ERA with 30 strikeouts against six walks in 35.1 innings.

The rookie pitcher had a mixed debut against the New York Mets in April where he allowed four earned runs across 5.1 innings, but he has been solid ever since. He came up as a starter and it would be nice to see the Giants use him in that role at some point.

Of course, these roster spots were opened up with Wilmer Flores and John Brebbia landing on the injured list. Flores had posted a .775 OPS with seven home runs in 173 plate appearances and we had hoped that he would become an X factor with Mitch Haniger landing on the injured list. Brebbia has become a very reliable reliever, posting a 3.14 ERA in 29 appearances in 2023.