Jalen

Beeks

Beeks won’t necessarily have to rehab if he keeps this stint short, the 32-year-old left-hander has a 3.81 ERA in 26 innings out of the Rangers bullpen this year, striking out 21 and walking eight while allowing six home runs.

The deal, which was agreed upon on Thursday, is official now that the 32-year-old hurler has passed his physical. He’ll try to ramp up quickly in an effort to be ready for Opening Day. Alexis Diaz was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Friday.

No word yet on the financial terms, but it will be a major league deal for the 32-year-old southpaw. The deal is still pending a physical. Beeks missed nearly three months of the 2025 season due to a back issue, but when he was on the field he registered a 3.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 47/20 K/BB ratio over 57 1/3 innings. He makes for a quality addition to the Rangers’ middle relief corps.

Beeks missed almost exactly three months with inflammation in his lower back. The 32-year-old should be a high-leverage option now that he’s return to the bullpen, and it’s not crazy to think he could get save chances, although most of those should go to Kevin Ginkel still.

Beeks became the latest Arizona reliever to hit the shelf as the injuries continue to pile up. The 32-year-old lefty shouldn’t require a lengthy absence, but back issues can be complicated matters and tend to linger beyond initial return estimates.

Not good. Miller has taken over as Arizona’s primary closer since early May following injuries to A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez. The scary part here is that forearm issues are often a precursor to more alarming elbow concerns. It’s unclear where Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo will turn with Miller on the shelf, but Kevin Ginkel and Jalen Beeks have some closing experience. The wild cards here would be John Curtiss and Kyle Backhus.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters they’re waiting for a second opinion on his MRI results before deciding on his future. The hard-throwing 23-year-old closer was lifted from Monday’s relief outing against the Mariners with elbow tightness and is facing a lengthy absence, even if he elects to proceed with a rest and rehabilitation route instead of surgery. Given their closing experience, veterans Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks are the logical immediate successors to Arizona’s closer role, at least until lefty A.J. Puk (elbow) returns later this year. They’re worthy of speculative roster spots in deeper fantasy leagues.

Shelby Miller got the first crack at earning a save Sunday, but couldn’t hold a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Miller allowed a solo home run to Kyle Schwarber with two outs before three straight Phillies singles tied the game. Miller ended up earning the win as Beeks came in with a three-run lead in the 10th and was able to preserve the win. Beeks wouldn’t seem to be anyone’s first choice for the closer role on a contending team, but he did combine for 10 saves between the Rockies and Pirates last year. It’s unclear how the Diamondbacks will handle ninth-inning duties going forward with Justin Martinez and A.J. Put sidelined.

The Diamondbacks lost two relievers this week with right-hander Kevin Ginkel dealing with shoulder inflammation and left-hander Jordan Montgomery undergoing elbow surgery. As a result, Arizona signed Beeks to occupy the final bullpen spot. While Beeks posted a 4.50 ERA in 71 appearances for the Rockies and Pirates last season, he held lefties to a .202 average and .570 OPS and figures to be used primarily to get them out in 2025.

Beeks was in camp with the Astros this spring as a non-roster invitee and wasn’t going to crack the season-opening roster. The 31-year-old lefty had an opt out in his minor league contract, so he’s been granted his release to pursue other opportunities.