SAN FRANCISCO -- Tyler Beede 2.0 will get another shot in the big leagues.
Beede, the former first-rounder who had a huge spring and April with a new approach, will start Friday in Cincinnati, manager Bruce Bochy said. He'll take the spot of Derek Holland, who went on the injured list on Monday. The Giants have not yet announced a corresponding move.
The 25-year-old had an 8.22 ERA in two starts last season and the numbers in Triple-A weren't much better, leading to a brief move to the bullpen. But Beede showed up this spring with a refined repertoire, focusing on a fastball that regularly hits 97 mph, a big curveball, and a good changeup. Bochy said Beede was throwing strikes with all three pitches in five Triple-A starts.
"He was attacking the strike zone well and commanding all of his pitches," Bochy said.
Beede had a 1.99 ERA in a hitter-friendly league, with 34 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said earlier this week that the Giants wanted to reward Beede for his spring work and hot start, and it's possible this isn't just a spot-start.
"He should feel good about where he is and his confidence should be way up there," Bochy said. "And we're excited to see him."
