Yankees option Brendan Beck to Triple-A

Beck generated 17 whiffs on 42 swings and 87 pitches today, which is really good. However, they turned into just three strikeouts. Three is also the number of homers he allowed. Luke Keaschall’s was Yankee Stadium-aided on a hitter friendly day, but the homers from Kody Clemens in the first and Alex Jackson in the second needed no such assistance. Beck will probably return to Triple-A now. The Yankees will need a fifth starter again Thursday, but they’d probably rather have a fresh arm available Sunday than wait to use Beck again. Perhaps Elmer Rodriguez can come back up for Thursday’s start.

Beck gets the nod to replace an injured Carlos Rodón (elbow) in New York’s rotation. The 27-year-old allowed two runs over three innings during a bulk relief outing against the Rangers in his major-league debut back on May 7. He’s posted an encouraging 3.07 ERA across 88 innings at the Triple-A level this season. He’s not a recommended option for fantasy purposes.

The 27-year-old hurler will take the place of the injured Carlos Rodon in the Yankees’ rotation for the time being. Beck sports a 3.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 91/28 K/BB ratio over 88 innings in 16 starts at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on the season. He could be worth a look as a streaming option in deeper mixed leagues on Saturday.

Beck threw three innings as a bulk reliever on Thursday, so the Yankees will shuffle him back to the minors to get a fresh arm up for the bullpen.

Beck walked three and gave up a homer to Ezequiel Duran in the 52-pitch outing. He’ll likely head back down in exchange for a fresh arm prior to Friday’s contest.

Beck has been used as a starting pitcher in Triple-A, but he will likely serve as a bulk reliever with the Yankees. The 27-year-old has a low 90s fastball and has posted a 5.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 37/8 K/BB ratio in 37 innings. If he gets into a game, it will be his MLB debut.

Beck’s 89-93 mph fastball keeps him from showing up high on prospects lists, but it didn’t stop him from generating 18 whiffs last night, including nine on the 22 sliders he threw. Beck had a 3.36 ERA and a 123/36 K/BB in 131 1/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A last season. It doesn’t seem likely that the Yankees will need him as a starter this year, but with his command, he’d probably hold his own if given the chance.

Hess carried a 1.80 ERA in five innings of Spring Training ball, striking out six. He’ll likely return to Double-A, where he posted a 0.95 WHIP and 2.70 ERA in seven starts in 2025, to start the 2026 campaign.

Beck was the Yankees’ second-round pick from last year. According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the 23-year-old was injured while ramping up his throwing with Low-A Tampa after logging 108 2/3 innings at the collegiate level for Stanford. He’s going to be in rehab-mode this year, but should be a full-go for the 2023 campaign.