SF Giants welcome back right-handed hurler after solid stint in Triple-A

The SF Giants had an open roster spot after moving Justin Verlander to the injured list. On Friday, they filled that by recalling Tristan Beck from the Sacramento River Cats, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants welcome back right-handed hurler after solid stint in Triple-A

Not that long ago, Beck was viewed as a potential starting pitching option. He has a four-pitch mix, headlined by a mid-90's four-seam fastball with a slider, sweeper, and curveball. He commands his arsenal well, too. Those tend to be the ingredients for a starting pitcher.

Beck even saw a good bit of success with the Giants in 2023, posting a 3.92 ERA across 85 frames. He entered the 2024 season as a depth rotation option, but he sustained an aneurysm in his right arm that required surgery to address the issue.

The injury and ensuing procedure kept Beck on the injured list for much of the 2024 season. He did return to make seven quality appearances for the Giants in the final month of the year.

Beck entered camp with an outside shot of making the roster. Instead, he was optioned to Triple-A, where he has worked exclusively as a reliever. The 28-year-old pitcher has posted a 3.24 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 1.20 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, and a 2.64 SO/W rate across 25 innings. Interestingly, he has not allowed a home run in the hitter-friendly confines of the Pacific Coast League.

As Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News notes, Beck's four-seam fastball is back up to his pre-surgery velocity. Plus, he has added a sinker and a cutter to his pitch mix.

The Giants have had Hayden Birdsong, Kyle Harrison, and Spencer Bivens work as multi-inning relievers in the bullpen. Birdsong has shifted to the rotation, and Harrison is slated to start in Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals.

Beck is likely a better long-term fit for this role than Harrison or Birdsong. And, it is an important role to fill, as many Giants relievers usually only go one inning at a time. If Beck throws the ball well, he could certainly carve out a role in this year's bullpen.