SF Giants recall RHP Tristan Beck, place RHP Anthony DeSclafani on IL

The SF Giants recalled rookie Tristan Beck from Triple-A on Sunday after placing veteran righty Anthony DeSclafani on the injured list with a right flexor strain.

The SF Giants recalled rookie right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck (Giants Top 16 Prospect) from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday after placing veteran starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow flexor strain (retroactive to July 27th). Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters prior to Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox that DeSclafani felt the injury after a recent bullpen session. This is DeSclafani second stint on the injured list this season.

SF Giants SP Anthony DeSclafani throws a pitch against the Dbacks. (2023) / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

"Anthony was feeling like some fullness in his forearm that was after his last pen that he threw that was actually a pretty good pen," Kapler said. "That was enough for Groesch and our medical staff to check him out. We obviously got an MRI, scanned it, and found a Grade 1 strain."

Kapler also said that DeSclafani will not throw for several weeks before he is reevaluated, suggesting the veteran righty will likely miss all of August. DeSclafani has regressed after an excellent start to the season and currently has a 4.88 ERA (4.38 FIP) on the year with 79 strikeouts and 20 walks in 99.2 innings pitched (19 appearances). The Giants hope that he will be able to return to his early-season form after his rehab.

Beck has been one of the Giants' most consistent rookie contributors this season but was optioned when DeSclafani was activated from the injured list on July 18th. A former Stanford star, Beck has a 3.06 ERA (3.77 xERA, 4.16 FIP, 4.46 xFIP) across 50 innings pitched (20 appearances) with 38 strikeouts and 12 walks in the majors this season. In six appearances at Triple-A this year, Beck has a 3.79 ERA in 19 innings pitched. 

Kapler said that Beck will return to the swingman role he filled for the team earlier this season, generally working as a long reliever capable of throwing 40-60 pitches an appearance with the occasional capacity to provide even more length. Beck has credited learning to trust his arsenal for his breakout season.

The timing of Anthony DeSclafani's injury adds an interesting element for the Giants. The MLB trade deadline is just two days away and there are several potential starting pitchers on the market. It seemed like the Giants might trade some of their starting pitcher depth. However, several players, including DeSclafani and Keaton Winn (Giants Top 9 Prospect) have landed on the IL with arm injuries over the past week. Perhaps those injuries will make the SF Giants more willing to part with some prospects to upgrade their rotation.