BOSTON -- The White Sox placed right-hander Zach Putnam on the 15-day disabled list with ulnar neuritis in his right elbow on Tuesday and recalled righty Chris Beck from Triple-A Charlotte.
The 25-year-old Beck joins Chicago in the Major Leagues for the second time in his career as his last and only start for the White Sox was against Baltimore on May 28 last year. He gave up 10 hits, five runs (four earned) and three walks while striking out four through six innings.
Through 56 1/3 innings at Triple-A Charlotte, Beck is 4-3 with a 4.47 ERA. In 15 games (seven starts), he allowed five home runs and notched 40 strikeouts.
"It's good to be back," Beck said. "It's always that nightmare that you're going to be the guy that throws one day in the big leagues and never gets back. It was nice to get the call."
Beck didn't get a good night's sleep after finding out he was recalled to the White Sox bullpen late Monday. It wasn't because he was nervous, excited or anxious about joining the team in Boston. His roommate, Jacob Turner, was having a night terror and threw a pillow at him around three in the morning.
"I thought it was really fitting," Beck said on the pillow toss. "So it was good."
Beck shifted to the bullpen after taking a line drive off his right elbow in May and said he's transitioning to the new role comfortably. Beck said he feels completely healthy and noted that it's easier to adjust to the position thanks to a lower pitch count.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Beck adds depth to the bullpen, especially with how early his starters have been leaving the game as of late.
"He's been throwing the best down there," Ventura said. "He's also been lengthened out. He can start."
Beck said the first time he started for Chicago was beneficial so he could shake off the nerves and anxiety. Now, he's happy to have joined the team in Boston.
"Foot was in the door in Baltimore, now I'm here at Fenway, another historic place to play," Beck said. "I think the way it just breathes baseball around here makes things a little easier, especially with the expectations of the team. It's a fun clubhouse to come into, especially after a big win last night."
Ventura said Putnam's injury is a different pain than the one he was previously feeling in his elbow, but he doesn't think the righty will need surgery.
Putnam pitched 27 1/3 innings this season, allowing 25 hits, seven runs with 30 strikeouts and has a 2.30 ERA. He walked three consecutive batters in the ninth inning of Chicago's 3-1 win over Boston on Monday.
Worth noting
• Ventura said Justin Morneau's recovery is going according to plan. The veteran is on the DL after surgery to repair the primary flexor tendon in his left elbow during the offseason.
"He's hit off the tee, he's done some workout here in the field. We haven't seen him hit with us or do any of that," Ventura said.
• Right-hander James Shields threw a side session Monday and Ventura said it went well. The 34-year-old is struggling, going 2-9 with a 6.28 ERA this season.
"Mentally, you can get beat down to where he was," Ventura said. "Those starts have been tough, but you've got to be able to figure that out and I think mentally he has the ability to do that."