Pirates acquire lefty reliever Beeks from Rockies

HOUSTON -- The Pirates’ search for another lefty reliever has led them to Jalen Beeks. They picked up the veteran southpaw from the Rockies in exchange for Minor League left-handed reliever Luis Peralta, the club announced on Monday ahead of their dramatic 5-3 win over the Astros.

Beeks has six years of Major League experience, starting with the Red Sox before a five-year run with the Rays. This was his first season with the Rockies, where he pitched to a 4.74 ERA over 49 1/3 innings with nine saves.

Ironically, he has pitched better at the notoriously hitter-friendly Coors Field this year, recording a 3.81 ERA at home compared to a 6.00 on the road. His peripherals paint a more pleasant picture, though, with his average exit velocity coming in at 87 mph and his expected ERA ranking at 3.63.

He fills a massive hole in the bullpen for the Pirates, who have not had a reliable left-hander all year outside of Aroldis Chapman, who is a late-inning arm and is seldomly used for lefty hitter matchups. Coming into the year, it appeared that Ryan Borucki would fill that role, but he has been sidelined with a nerve injury in his left triceps and recently had his rehab assignment end so he could be re-evaluated by the club.

Without Borucki, the Pirates have mainly relied on Josh Fleming and Jose Hernandez as their primary lefties, but both have been designated for assignment and Fleming elected free agency Monday after clearing waivers. The bullpen is also seemingly down a pitcher at the moment after the Pirates traded Quinn Priester to the Red Sox earlier Monday.

In exchange for Beeks, the Pirates are giving up Peralta. The 23-year-old lefty was recently promoted to Double-A Altoona, where he allowed two earned runs over 9 2/3 innings with 14 strikeouts. He struck out 50 with a 0.60 ERA in 30 innings with High-A Greensboro.