SF Giants recall RHP Tristan Beck from Triple-A, place INF Wilmer Flores on IL
The SF Giants recalled right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck (Giants preseason #19 prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, placing infielder Wilmer Flores on the 10-day injured list with a foot contusion in a corresponding move. Flores fouled a ball off his foot in Friday night's epic comeback victory over the Dodgers. While Flores blasted a two-run home run later in the at-bat, he was later removed from the game. The Giants also placed reliever John Brebbia on the injured list on Saturday.
SF Giants pitcher Tristan Beck and catcher Blake Sabol walk to the dugout. (2023)
Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Beck has emerged as a solid long-relief option for the Giants this season. In multiple big-league stints, Beck has recorded a 3.73 ERA in 31.1 innings pitched (13 appearances) with 28 strikeouts and five walks. ERA estimators like xERA (3.40), FIP (4.23), and xFIP (3.68) have also seemed to suggest that Beck's effectiveness is sustainable.
The Giants acquired Beck in a midseason trade with Atlanta at the 2019 MLB trade deadline for Mark Melancon. Since Beck has climbed San Francisco's minor league ranks and has been consistently effective when healthy. While Beck has spent most of the season in the majors, he has a 3.77 ERA across four starts at Triple-A.
Flores' injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for the veteran infielder. Flores has seen his playing time dip this season and could find himself on the trade block. Following the emergence of LaMonte Wade Jr., Thairo Estrada, and J.D. Davis as All-Star caliber players on the infield alongside Casey Schmitt (Giants preseason #3 prospect), the Giants do not have an obvious need for Flores on the depth chart. However, Flores has been receiving more opportunities this week while Davis deals with a twisted ankle.
When he has received opportunities, Wilmer Flores has been as productive as ever. The infielder, who is able to play first, second, and third base, is hitting .258/.324/.452 with nine doubles, seven home runs, 16 walks, and 29 strikeouts in 173 plate appearances this season. With his absence, though, the SF Giants will use his roster spot to give manager Gabe Kapler another option out of the bullpen in young righty Tristan Beck.
