TORONTO — The Yankees are giving Clayton Beeter another shot in the big leagues.
The club called up the starter-turned-reliever on Wednesday for bullpen help while designating Geoff Hartlieb for assignment after he threw 43 pitches in Tuesday’s loss to the Blue Jays.
Beeter has pitched well at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since returning from a shoulder injury to start the year, with a 1.02 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 17 ²/₃ innings — though he has walked 14 in that span.
“He’s been on our board now for a couple years of pushing the envelope to be part of the mix,” manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday before the Yankees’ 11-9 loss at Rogers Centre. “He’s had some injuries he’s dealt with a little bit last year, a little bit to start spring training, a little slow-play in spring. But he’s really talented and hopefully he can come up here and carve out a spot for himself in the bullpen.”
The right-hander, acquired from the Dodgers for Joey Gallo three years ago, will try to offer some relief for a bullpen that has been beat up of late, both in injuries (the biggest blow being Fernando Cruz’s high-grade oblique strain) and workload.
Entering Thursday, the Yankees bullpen has given up 18 earned runs across 17 innings in the past four games.
This marks Beeter’s third stint with the Yankees.
The Yankees have called up Clayton Beeter. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
He threw one, three-pitch inning in the second game of last year before being optioned, then returned in the final week of the regular season to pitch in two more games.
In between, he returned to starting in the minors. but also dealt with a shoulder injury that was initially feared to require surgery before Beeter ended up avoiding it.
Entering this year, the Yankees moved Beeter to a full-time relief role, hoping his fastball-slider combo might play up in that role.
Geoff Hartlieb, who was designated for assignment, pitched in the Yankees’ loss to the Blue Jays on July 1, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Austin Wells (finger) went through pregame catching drills Wednesday and got into the Yankees’ loss as a pinch-runner.
He is set to return to the lineup for Thursday’s series finale.
Ben Rice, who couldn’t corral Devin Williams’ wild pitch that brought in the go-ahead run in Wednesday’s loss, started behind the plate after J.C. Escarra had caught the past two in Wells’ absence.
Trent Grisham (hamstring) could join him in the starting lineup, as the center fielder continued to feel improved on Wednesday and went 1-for-2 after entering the game as a pinch hitter for DJ LeMahieu.
Bryan De La Cruz, who had come up on the taxi squad Tuesday in case Grisham needed to go on the injured list, no longer had a locker on Wednesday, another signal that the Yankees believed Grisham will avoid the IL.
“[Tuesday] was a good day and so far, he feels like today’s better,” Boone said. “If he has another good day today, he might be in the lineup [Thursday].”
Luis Gil (lat strain) will throw his next live batting practice on Thursday after Tuesday’s scheduled session was pushed back due to the birth of his child.
After that, Gil could throw one more live session or begin a rehab assignment next week.
Barring injuries, Aaron Judge will be the Yankees’ only starting All-Star position player.
In the final fan vote announced Wednesday night, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. beat out Paul Goldschmidt at first base and Ryan O’Hearn topped Ben Rice at DH.