BRANDON BIELAK NEWS

Bolsters rotation bid Bielak allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings in Saturday's spring game against the Cardinals.

Impact Since he allowed four runs in the first inning of his first Grapefruit League outing, Bielak has made an impressive bid for a roster spot. In 11 subsequent innings, Bielak has allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 11. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 70 (44 strikes) while St. Louis batters flailed away at this slider (nine swing-and-misses), a pitch he spent considerable work on during the offseason, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. He could fill a couple of roles for Houston early in the season. Bielak could be a traditional starter until Jake Odorizzi is ready, or he can work in a multi-inning relief for Cristian Javier and/or Luis Garcia, a pair of starters who are not stretched out due to quarantine periods for health and safety protocols.

MARCH 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Yanks star Stanton off to strong start after smashing finish

Giancarlo Stanton is picking up where he ended the postseason last year

MARCH 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notes: Bielak's strong start; OF versatility JUPITER, Fla. -- The late signing of veteran right-hander Jake Odorizzi on March 8 and the injury to lefty Framber Valdez on March 2 have cr...

MARCH 20, 2021 • MLB.COM

Possible early-season starter Bielak has a chance to pitch as a starter or opener during the first week of the season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Houston manager Dusty Baker said Bielak, who has minor-league options, has an "outside shot" to make the Opening Day roster. That chance appears to be tied to the status of other projected starters, like Jake Odorizzi, Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia. All three are behind in terms of their progression for various reasons, which opens the door to Bielak being part of the rotation when the Astros play six straight games to open the season.

MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bounces back Friday Bielak did not allow a hit or walk while striking out three over three scoreless relief innings in Friday's spring game against the Marlins.

Impact Bielak had a brutal Grapefruit League debut last Sunday when he allowed four runs and two home runs over two innings, but his bounce-back performance, in which he threw 29 strikes among 33 pitches, came at a time when his importance increased. The Astros continue to evaluate starter Framber Valdez's fractured left ring finger, while Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are sidelined by health and safety protocols. Those developments could lead to Bielak, who started six games for Houston in 2020, becoming a member of this year's rotation.

MARCH 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bielak earns opening nod; Alvarez monitored The chance to get back on the mound in a game couldn’t come fast enough for Astros right-hander Brandon Bielak, who worked this offseason to...

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • MLB.COM

To start spring training opener Bielak will start the Astros' first Grapefruit League contest Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Bielak contributed significantly to the Astros in 2020, throwing 32 innings both as a starter and reliever. However, he didn't have consistent success, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with a 26:17 K:BB. Houston made a number of additions to its bullpen this offseason -- the most significant of which were Pedro Baez and Steve Cishek -- which means Bielak is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land.

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Demoted to alternate site Bielak was optioned to the alternate training site Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Bielak surrendered four runs over two innings Saturday, so he'll head to the alternate site in favor of a fresh bullpen arm. He has a 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 26:17 K:BB across 32 innings this season. Nivaldo Rodriguez was recalled in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers third loss Saturday Bielak (3-3) allowed four runs on five hits (one home run) and a walk while striking out three across two innings Saturday as he took the loss against the Rangers.

Impact Bielak came out to start the fifth in place of Lance McCullers and got off to a nice start with a quick 1-2-3 inning. The right-hander returned for the sixth and allowed a couple of early base runners before Nick Solak was able to single home Willie Calhoun with two outs in the inning to give the Rangers their first lead. Bielak escaped with just the one run earned and came back out for the seventh. He allowed the first two batters to reach before Jeff Mathis took him deep to left to put the Rangers up 4-1. Bielak's night was done immediately afterward as he holds a 6.75 ERA and 26:17 K:BB heading into playoffs.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Five-run 7th inning powers Rangers past Astros 6-1

Jeff Mathis hit a three-run home run and Leody Taveras followed with a solo blast in a five-run seventh inning as the Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 6-1

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

LeMahieu, Voit near milestones for Yankees in win over Miami

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners' Moore placed on concussion list, out for season

Seattle Mariners second baseman Dylan Moore’s season is over after he was placed on the seven-day concussion list Tuesday

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gonzales shuts down Astros as Mariners roll to 6-1 victory

Marco Gonzales threw eight shutout innings, Evan White broke open a tight game with a three-run homer in the seventh and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 6-1 on Monday...

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners beat Astros 6-1, help Athletics claim AL West title

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Escapes with no-decision Saturday Bielak didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels, giving up four runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings in a 10-9 loss. He struck...

Impact He put his name in the history books by serving up Mike Trout's 300th career homer, but it was an otherwise forgettable effort from Bielak, who needed 77 pitches (52 strikes) to record 11 outs. He'll likely move into long relief from here on out, and the rookie's 6.00 ERA and 1.59 WHIP make him an unappealing fantasy option in a low-leverage role.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Trout's 300th sets club HR mark, Angels take 2 from Astros

Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, Albert Pujols drove in three runs and the Los Angeles Angels rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros to sweep...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trout hits 300th career home run, sets Angels career mark

Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout became the team’s career home run leader when he hit No. 300 in the first game of a doubleheader against Houston

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bielak expected to start for the Astros against Angels

The Astros will start Brandon Bielak on Saturday while the Angels are expected to counter with Griffin Canning

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Trending toward Saturday start Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that he expects Bielak and Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) to make starts in Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels in some order, Brian McTaggart...

Impact Baker suggested Wednesday that Cy Sneed and Luis Garcia were candidates to make starts in the twin bill, but Urquidy apparently impressed in his throwing session Thursday, leaving Houston optimistic he'll be ready to make his season debut this weekend. Meanwhile, Bielak will be given another chance to redeem himself after two rough outings in a row, during which he recorded only six outs while giving up 11 runs (10 earned) on eight hits and four walks. Assuming Urquidy feels fine coming out of his start, he should permanently take over as the fifth member of Houston's rotation, likely bumping Bielak to the bullpen next week as a result. If Bielak shows improved form in Saturday's outing, he would at least cement himself as the next man up to start if a rotation spot should reopen at some point.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Chased in first inning Bielak (3-2) did not make it out of the first inning and took the loss in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels. He allowed four runs (three earned) on three...

Impact Bielak made the start on short rest so the outcome is not surprising. The rookie hurler managed to sidestep trouble earlier this season, when he walked 11 over the first 21.1 innings, but major league hitters have caught up to him. Bielak's allowed 11 runs on eight hits (four home runs) and three walks over the last two innings. With off days coming up on the schedule, the Astros can avoid using Bielak until Sept. 5.

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Giolito fans 13 in no-hitter, White Sox blank Pirates 4-0

AUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Angels beat Astros 12-5 to split DH caused by hurricane

Brian Goodwin drove in three runs, including a two-run single as part of a four-run first as the Los Angeles Angels snapped a three-game losing streak with a 12-5 win over the Hous...

AUGUST 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting on short rest Bielak will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact He will be making the start on two days of rest, but only logged 1.1 innings in his Aug. 22 start against the Padres, so he is more rested than a typical starter on short rest. This would have been his day to toss a side session, so he will essentially get that work in during a game that counts in what should amount to a bullpen game for the Astros. Houston won't need a fifth starter again until a doubleheader against the Angels on Sept. 5, so we could see Bielak briefly transition to the bullpen or the alternate training site following Tuesday's start.

AUGUST 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Implodes against Padres Bielak (3-1) took the loss against San Diego on Saturday, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing seven runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two.

Impact Bielak entered the game having given up four earned runs through his first 21.1 big-league innings, but the Padres nearly doubled that run total while making only four outs against the rookie. Of the five hits given up by Bielak, four were home runs, including a pair of long balls off the bat of Trent Grisham. Bielak's ERA soared from 1.69 to 4.37 as a result of his first major-league loss and the outing was the shortest of his career. The 24-year-old will try to recover when he next takes the mound Thursday at home against the Angels.

AUGUST 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Slam Diego! Cronenworth hits Padres' 5th slam in 6 games

Trent Grisham hit three home runs and rookie Jake Cronenworth launched a grand slam in a wild nine-run second inning, making the San Diego Padres the first team in major league his...

AUGUST 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS