The Athletics outrighted Bielak to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Bielak is no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization for the time being. He holds a 5.16 ERA and 14:13 K:BB over 29.2 frames this season between the Astros and Athletics.
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Athletics' Brandon Bielak: Removed from 40-man roster
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Oakland designated Bielak for assignment Sunday.
After throwing four scoreless innings against the Cubs on Sept. 16, Bielak unraveled in his latest appearance Friday against the Yankees, allowing four runs on two hits and four walks over 1.2 innings. He'll be replaced on the roster by Joe Boyle, who was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Athletics' Brandon Bielak: Summoned to big leagues
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The Athletics selected Bielak's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.
He'll provide Oakland will a fresh arm out of the bullpen heading into Sunday's series finale with the Tigers while he joins the Athletics' 28-man roster as a replacement for lefty Brady Basso, who was sent back to Las Vegas after starting in Saturday's 2-1 loss. After being acquired from the Astros in mid-May, Bielak gave up two earned runs across 5.2 innings over his three relief appearances before Oakland cast him off its 40-man roster two weeks following the trade.
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Athletics' Brandon Bielak: Sent outright to Triple-A
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Bielak cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Wednesday.
Bielak has been booted from Oakland's 40-man but will remain in its organization. The right-hander has posted a 5.09 ERA and 12:8 K:BB over 23 innings this season between the Astros and Athletics.
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Athletics' Brandon Bielak: DFA'd by Oakland
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The Athletics designated Bielak for assignment Saturday.
The move comes with the Athletics recalling right-hander Tyler Ferguson from Triple-A Las Vegas. Oakland acquired Bielak from the Houston on May 16 after the Astros DFA'd the 28-year-old right-hander May 11. Bielak appeared in three games for the Athletics, and he did not give up a run over his last two outings. He's out of minor-league options, but Bielak should still draw interest from teams that are in need of right-handed depth in the bullpen.
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Athletics' Brandon Bielak: Picks up first win Thursday
Rotowire
Bielak (1-0) picked up the win in an extra-innings victory over the Rockies on Thursday, allowing a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.
Bielak came into the game with runners at the corners and two outs in the top of the 11th, and after allowing both inherited runners to score, he was able to strike out Jordan Beck to end the inning. That set the stage for the unlikeliest of victories, as the Athletics mounted a five-run rally in the home half of the frame to walk it off. Bielak, who was just acquired via trade from the Astros on May 16, has allowed two earned runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings across three appearances since his arrival.
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Athletics' Brandon Bielak: Traded to Oakland
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The Athletics acquired Bielak from the Astros on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Bielak had been designated for assignment and will wind up staying in the American League West. He's out of minor-league options, so the Athletics will need to add him to their active roster. Bielak holds a 5.71 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 17.1 relief innings this season. While he's pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in 2024, the 28-year-old has plenty of past starting experience, so he could be an option for an Oakland rotation that needs arms.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: DFA'd by Houston
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The Astros designated Bielak for assignment Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The move comes with Houston reinstating right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) off the 15-day injured list. Bielak made the Opening Day roster due to multiple injuries to the Astros' pitching staff and he appeared in 10 games out of the bullpen, posting a 5.71 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over 17.1 innings. Bielak is out of minor-league options, but he could draw interest from teams looking for right-handed depth in the bullpen.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Likely to make big-league club
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Bielak is likely to make the big-league roster out of spring training due to a combination of injuries to the Astros' pitching staff and the fact that he is out of minor-league options, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Bielak hasn't pitched well this spring, allowing six earned runs across 7.1 innings while maintaining just a 5:4 K:BB. However, with both Justin Verlander (shoulder) and Jose Urquidy (forearm) destined for the injured list to begin the campaign, the Astros are in need of pitching depth. As things currently stand, Bielak is expected to serve in a relief role, with Ronel Blanco serving as the fifth starter.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Could be headed for rotation
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Bielak could be in consideration for a rotation spot to begin the regular season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros were hit with injuries to both Justin Verlander (shoulder) and J.P. France (shoulder) to start spring training. Depending on their availability to begin the regular season, Houston could immediately be reliant upon depth in their pitching staff. Bielak would likely be at the top of the list, as he made 13 major-league starts last season and is also out of minor-league options.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Sent back to Triple-A
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Houston optioned Bielak to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.
Bielak allowed three earned runs over 5.1 innings of long relief in the Astros' blowout loss to the Red Sox on Thursday. He threw 112 pitches during that appearance and wasn't going to be available for the next handful of days.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Recalled from Triple-A
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Houston recalled Bielak from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Bielak has worked as a fill-in starter at times this year for the Astros, but he'll return Thursday in a long-relief role. The 27-year-old right-hander carries a 3.74 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 59:33 K:BB through 74.2 major-league innings in 2023.
Bielak was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
With Jose Urquidy (shoulder) rejoining Houston's rotation later this week, Bielak was sent to the minors to allow the Astros to bolster the bullpen in the short term. Bielak had a 2.63 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 22:15 K:BB in 27.1 innings over his last five starts.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Another rough start
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Bielak (5-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits and three walks over five innings against the Rays. He struck out four.
After being tagged for six runs (three earned) in his last start, Bielak surrendered six more against the Rays on Sunday. He struggled with control once again, allowing three or more walks for the fifth time in his last six starts, and now owns an ugly 59:33 K:BB through 74.2 innings (14 appearances). With Jose Urquidy (shoulder) set to return to the Astros rotation this week, Bielak will likely be the odd man out and retreat to the bullpen.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Roughed up Monday
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Bielak pitched 4.2 innings against Texas on Monday, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters in a no-decision.
Bielak's final line was softened a bit by the fact that three of the runs against him were unearned, but it was nonetheless a poor outing by the right-hander. He threw just 59 of 102 pitches for a strike and tied a season high with four walks while surrendering a pair of long balls. Nonetheless, Bielak managed to escape with a no-decision thanks to a productive performance by Houston's offense, keeping his record even at 5-5. Bielak had been pitching well in July coming into Monday, posting a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over three starts, so the rough outing shouldn't impact his place in the rotation for now. However, Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is on track to return to the rotation in early August, which could send Bielak to the bullpen.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Shuts down Colorado for fifth win
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Bielak (5-5) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one hit and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings against the Rockies. He struck out four.
Bielak held the Rockies to one hit in the winning effort, though he ultimately fell an out short of logging a quality start after walking a pair in the sixth inning. Bielak has impressed since returning from Triple-A in early July, going 2-1 with a 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP across three starts (17.2 innings). Overall, the 27-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 3.46 with a 1.40 WHIP and 50:26 K:BB through 65 innings this season. Bielak should have a safe role in Houston's rotation, at least until Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is ready to return from the IL. The former is lined up for a tough home matchup with the Rangers early next week.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Receives little help in loss
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Bielak (4-5) took the loss Sunday against the Mariners, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings.
Bielak blanked the Mariners through the first three frames but could not escape trouble in the fourth. The inning started with a fielding error and a hit batsman before two doubles plated three runs. Bielak kept the Mariners' bats in check otherwise, and although he was a little wild hitting two batters, he only issued one walk after walking four in his last start. The 27-year-old now holds a 3.79 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 46:23 K:BB over 59.1 innings and should be good for at least a few more starts until Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is ready to return from the injured list.
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Astros' Brandon Bielak: Blanks Rockies in MLB return
Rotowire
Bielak (4-4) earned the win Tuesday, allowing two hits and four walks over seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Rockies. He struck out four.
In his first MLB appearance since being optioned to Triple-A on June 17, Bielak recorded his first scoreless outing of the campaign. Tuesday's performance was also Bielak's longest start of 2023 and marked just the third time he's lasted more than six innings. However, Bielak also set a season high in walks. After the strong showing, Bielak's ERA is down to 3.81 and he also carries a 41:22 K:BB and 1.6 HR/9 through 54.1 innings.
