Beede returns to Majors after TJ surgery
SAN FRANCISCO -- Nearly 16 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Tyler Beede is back in the Majors.
Beede was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday as part of a roster shuffle by the Giants, who designated reliever Jimmie Sherfy for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. In a separate pair of moves, the Giants also placed outfielder Jaylin Davis on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain and recalled infielder Jason Vosler from Triple-A Sacramento.
Beede hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since Sept. 26, 2019, but manager Gabe Kapler said the 28-year-old right-hander will be available out of the bullpen against the Cardinals on Tuesday. If he doesn’t pitch the next two days, Beede will be an option to start for the Giants in place of the injured Sammy Long on Friday, though Logan Webb, who is close to returning from a right shoulder strain, is also expected to be in the mix for that assignment.
“It’s really exciting because I think [Beede] has a chance to impact us in a number of different ways,” Kapler said. “He’s stretched out to give us as much length as we need.”
Beede began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on May 6, but he struggled to regain his control and posted a 6.56 ERA with 32 walks and 40 strikeouts over 35 2/3 innings in 12 starts. Still, Kapler said the Giants believe the rush of returning to the Majors could help sharpen Beede’s stuff moving forward.
“His control was not great on his rehab assignment,” Kapler said. “We feel like this extra adrenaline may help his focus and give him a chance to really find that control. As his control improves, we also think his command has a chance to improve. ... We think he has all the talent and ability to improve on both of those. We think that this gives him an opportunity to show us that he’s ready to do that.”
Beede has a 5.27 ERA over 26 career appearances in the Majors, but he appeared poised for a breakthrough campaign last spring before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in March 2020. In his final Cactus League start before the injury, Beede touched 98 mph with his fastball, flashing the premium velocity that has made him such a tantalizing talent for the Giants since they selected him in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt.
Davis landed back on the IL for the second time this season after tweaking his hamstring while running to first base on a groundout in the seventh inning of the Giants’ 5-3 loss to the Cardinals on Monday. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain, another frustrating setback for the 27-year-old slugger, who also missed two months with a left knee injury this year. Davis hit .316 with a 1.172 OPS and seven home runs over 14 rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento to force his way back to the Majors last week, but he appeared in only five games with the Giants before hitting the shelf again.
“I think Jaylin is very disappointed,” Kapler said. “Personally, I’m pretty disappointed for Jaylin. I thought his at-bats were much better. I don’t think he had the greatest results, but I thought he just looked different. He looked more confident. Obviously, the performance speaks for itself in Sac. I was kind of looking forward to seeing him flourish in this opportunity, and I know he was thinking the same. I had a chance to talk to him as he walked down the dugout steps, and I could kind of see the disappointment in his eyes. That was reflected in his tone this morning as well.”