Clayton

Beeter

Beeter is up with Jake Cousins on the injured list with a pectoral strain. Beeter will provide a multi-inning relief option and audition for a chance to be a part of the Yankees’ postseason pitching staff.

Beeter, who previously made two rehab appearances for Double-A Somerset, had been out since May 15 with a shoulder injury. He probably would have made starts or pitched in relief for the Yankees this summer had he remained healthy. As is, he still might be an option in relief in the postseason, but it’s unlikely that the team would turn to him.

Beeter was shut down in mid-May with shoulder discomfort, but is apparently dealing with an elbow issue instead. The 25-year-old prospect, who was acquired from the Dodgers a couple years ago, is scheduled to meet with Dr. Keith Meister this week to determine whether he’ll require season-ending surgery.

Beeter landed on the minor-league injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier this week and has been shut down from throwing temporarily. It’s a pretty significant hit to New York’s starting pitching depth as he figured to be an option at some point later this summer if injuries were to strike.

Beeter made New York’s season-opening roster as a reliever, but only wound up making one appearance before heading back to the minors. The 25-year-old righty, who induced an eye-popping 19 swinging strikes on Thursday night, has notched at least five strikeouts in each of his four starts this season at the Triple-A level.

The 25-year-old hurler made his big league debut on Friday, working a scoreless inning against the Astros. He’ll assuredly get another opportunity with the Yankees in relatively short order. Tanner Tully was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move on Saturday to add length to the Bombers’ bullpen.

Luis Gil has been announced as the team’s fifth starter, but it appears that Beeter will make the team as a reliever. Acquired from the Dodgers for Joey Gallo back in 2022, Beeter has allowed six earned runs on 15 hits in 17 innings while striking out 17 and walking six. He will likely serve in long relief; however, he has minor league options remaining, so he would likely return to Triple-A when Tommy Kahnle is off the injured list in the coming weeks.

Beeter outpitched fellow rotation contender Cody Poteet, who started and gave up eight runs in 2 1/3 innings. Luis Gil has performed the best of the Yankees’ options for the fifth spot in their rotation, but since he’s going to be on an innings limit, it appears somewhat unlikely that he’ll get the nod. Beeter has the next best numbers, outpacing Will Warren, Luke Weaver and Poteet. Control can be an issue for him, but he might prove fine at the back of the rotation.

Warren struck out five and walked none, so it wasn’t all bad. The Red Sox actually scored nine runs off Warren and Luis Arejula in the first. Warren then came back out and pitched two scoreless innings before departing for good. With neither Warren nor Clayton Beeter (three runs in four innings of relief) performing very well in this one, Luis Gil would seem to have a leg up for the fifth spot in the Yankees’ rotation.

Beeter struck out four. With a 2.00 ERA this spring, he might be the choice to step into the Yankees’ rotation if Gerrit Cole opens up on the injured list. He’s still probably just a reserve pick in AL-only leagues, though.