SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Walking along the outfield concourse of Salt River Fields on Thursday, wearing a T-shirt and shorts with two hot dogs in hand, Tristan Beck did not look like a man who had recently been informed of a potentially serious medical condition.
Yes, the first thing the San Francisco Giants right-hander did after learning he had an aneurysm in his arm, that he wouldn’t pitch again anytime soon, and that he would undergo surgery in the coming days, was attend a baseball game. He smiled as he strolled past a contingent of somewhat surprised reporters.
“It was wonderful,” Beck said Friday morning. “You start doing this long enough, you realize you just haven’t been to a baseball game in a long time.”
Speaking from the Giants’ clubhouse, Beck seemed at peace with the diagnosis and treatment plan. Dr. Jason Lee, the same vascular specialist at Stanford who identified the damage to his artery, will perform a localized procedure Monday, from which they expect Beck to make a full recovery.
While they will have a better idea of a rehab timeline following the operation, Beck said he expects to pitch again this season. The typical recovery from a similar surgical intervention, according to UCSF orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nirav Pandya, is usually about three months before accounting for the build-up required for a starter’s workload.
“You hear that word, it certainly gets your attention,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But I think he’s in a good place right now. …
“I think (after) reading about some of the guys that have had this too, there’s probably some relief in knowing that if you get this taken care of right you can be as good if not better than ever.”
The Yankees’ David Cone is one historical example of a pitcher who dealt with a similar issue and didn’t experience any lasting effects. Cone missed four months in 1996, then pitched another six seasons, making two All-Star teams. Through his brother, a minor-leaguer in the Yankees’ system, Beck is also familiar with a more contemporary example, catcher Gregory Glass, who was also operated on by Lee and was back on the field in less than three months.
“Luckily we caught it pretty early,” Beck said, calling it “textbook” work by the Giants’ medical staff.
“We identified some symptoms, kept an eye on it and as things progressed they got me some serious, professional help and we identified the issue.”
Around the beginning of camp, Beck began feeling out of sorts during his bullpen sessions. His right hand would go cold, begin to lose color, and eventually lose feeling. The symptoms were localized to the pitching mound, but they got progressively more severe over the next two or three weeks, Beck said, before it was eventually recommended that he visit a specialist.
When Lee informed him of the diagnosis, Beck said he was surprised.
“Obviously it’s not necessarily the most standard baseball injury,” he said. “Injury even feels like an interesting way to classify it. But from all accounts it sounds like we were really lucky to catch it when we did. Obviously things like this can be sometimes tough to find and get more severe if left untreated.”
Take, for example, J.R. Richard, a star pitcher for the Astros throughout the 1970s. In 1980, he collapsed while warming up for a start. It was later revealed that he had a blood clot in his neck that caused him to suffer a stroke. After attempting a comeback in 1981, he never pitched again.
The movement may be most closely associated with the sport and Beck’s position, in particular — the overhead throwing motion — is what Lee told him was the likely cause, the pec muscles contracting on the artery and then potentially sending particles of a blood clot down the arm.
But, Beck said, “I don’t think it’s something anybody anticipates coming back and being a recurring issue.” He is currently on a regimen of baby aspirin, commonly used as a blood thinner.
As a rookie in 2023, Beck performed nearly every role to aplomb, finishing the year with a 3.92 ERA in 33 appearances, and put himself in position to seize a rotation spot this spring, something he said at the end of last season was a goal of his.
With that opportunity lost, Beck said, “Disappointment is definitely the operative word. Devastation. All that.
“But it’s interesting. This feels different,” he continued. “I’ve had injuries in the past and there’s definitely two sides to this. Obviously I came in with an opportunity to go out there and compete for a really meaningful role on this team. That meant a lot to me both personally and being a part of the team, being a guy who was going to be able to shoulder a big load for the team, and it’s disappointing to not be able to follow through on that, at least early.
“But then there’s kind of the flipside, which is this is something that could have been a little more serious. Something that feels like it has more off-the-field implications.”
On the field, how the Giants fill the fifth spot in the rotation that he was expected to occupy remains to be determined.
Related Articles
Three Bay Area News Group sports reporters honored for excellence in 2023
SF Giants-D’backs: Jung Hoo Lee’s hot start continues with first homer; Luciano’s first impression not so strong
SF Giants’ Tristan Beck diagnosed with aneurysm in arm, ruled out for Opening Day
SF Giants-A’s: Yastrzemski on track for Opening Day; Melvin calls out club still seeking first win
After ’emotional’ return from second Tommy John, could Daulton Jefferies be an option for SF Giants’ rotation?
After surrendering two runs on three hits in his first spring outing, 24-year-old right-hander Mason Black should make his second start Saturday. Spencer Howard was the first non-roster pitcher granted a start, but he surrendered home runs to the first two batters he faced.
Keaton Winn, slotted in as their No. 4 starter, is expected to throw a bullpen this weekend, as is 26-year-old right-hander Kai-Wei Teng, who could also be an option after being delayed by an oblique injury to begin camp.
For the Giants, it may be a matter of making it to midseason.
Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks may be the only certainties for Opening Day. But by the All-Star break or shortly after, they should be joined by Alex Cobb, recovering from hip surgery, and Robbie Ray, a little further behind on his way back from Tommy John surgery.
And now, add Beck to that mix.
“The cavalry’s definitely coming,” Beck said.