Fantasy News

• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Likely to make big-league club

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2024

  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

  Rotowire Feb 14, 2024

  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: Recalled from Triple-A

  Rotowire Aug 24, 2023

  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.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Optioned to Triple-A

  Rotowire Jul 31, 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

  Rotowire Jul 31, 2023

  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

  Rotowire Jul 25, 2023

  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

  Rotowire Jul 19, 2023

  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

  Rotowire Jul 10, 2023

  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 Jul 4, 2023

  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.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Back in majors

  Rotowire Jul 3, 2023

  The Astros recalled Bielak from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Bielak will return to Houston as a replacement for Shawn Dubin, who had previously been called up from Sugar Land on June 18 to fill Bielak's spot on the 26-man active roster. Though he made just one start for Sugar Land during his brief time in the minors, Bielak showed well in that June 24 outing, covering six innings while allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk. Bielak looks poised to re-enter the Houston rotation the next time the team requires a fifth starter Friday versus the Mariners, though he could be needed as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday against the Rockies in the event Framber Valdez needs more time to recover from an ankle injury.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Optioned to Sugar Land

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2023

  Houston optioned Bielak to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Bielak was once again ineffective in his outing Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits over 4.2 innings versus the Reds. The right-hander will get a chance to iron things out at the minor-league level, and Houston recalled Shawn Dubin from Sugar Land in a corresponding transaction.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Another poor outing

  Rotowire Jun 17, 2023

  Bielak (3-4) took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings against Cincinnati. He struck out three. Bielak has allowed nine earned runs over back-to-back starts after giving up just 15 over his first seven outings combined. The right-hander has surrendered at least one home run in seven of his nine appearances, totaling 10 over 57.1 innings. Despite Bielak's struggles, he figures to remain in the rotation until Jose Urquidy (shoulder) or Luis Garcia (elbow) returns from the injured list.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Hit around by Guardians

  Rotowire Jun 12, 2023

  Bielak (3-3) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings in a 5-0 loss to Cleveland. He struck out four. After picking up back-to-back wins in his last two appearances, Bielak fell to his third loss of the season Sunday. He allowed a season-high five runs across five innings while giving up long balls to Andres Gimenez and Josh Bell. Though Bielak sports a solid 4.01 ERA through eight starts (42.2 innings), he's struggled with the long ball (1.9 HR/9) and has allowed nine or more hits in each of his last two appearances. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come during a homestand versus Cincinnati,

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Picks up third win

  Rotowire Jun 5, 2023

  Bielak (3-2) allowed three runs on 10 hits and a walk over 6.2 innings Monday, striking out two and earning a win over the Blue Jays. It wasn't a very clean outing for Bielak but he was given six runs of support before throwing his first pitch so he cruised to an easy win. He tied his longest outing of the year despite punching out just two batters. The 27-year-old righty is carrying a 3.35 ERA and a 30:13 K:BB through 37.2 frames. Bielak is currently lined up to start in Cleveland this weekend.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Stung by long ball in loss

  Rotowire May 24, 2023

  Bielak (1-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk over 6.2 innings during a 4-0 loss to the Brewers. He struck out three. Three of Bielak's five hits allowed were home runs, including a two-run shot by Willy Adames in the first inning. Despite the fact that he surrendered a season-high four runs, Wednesday's performance was actually the longest of the year for Bielak, who's drawn five consecutive starts since being recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land at the beginning of May. The right-hander holds a 3.55 ERA across 25.1 innings and figures to remain in the rotation until Jose Urquidy (shoulder), Luis Garcia (elbow) or Lance McCullers (forearm) is activated off the injured list.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Steady again Friday

  Rotowire May 20, 2023

  Bielak (1-1) allowed a run on five hits and three walks while striking out nine over five innings to earn the win Friday over the Athletics. Bielak has completed five innings in each of his last two starts. He's still allowing a high number of baserunners, but other teams have yet to fully capitalize on that fact yet -- although that's par for the course for the 2023 A's.. The right-hander has a solid 2.89 ERA, but his 1.77 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB through 18.2 innings show that he's got a number of flaws to work out. Bielak is projected for a much tougher road start next week in Milwaukee.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Allows one run over five innings

  Rotowire May 14, 2023

  Bielak did not factor in the decision against the White Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on eight hits and no walks while striking out four batters over five innings. Bielak allowed at least one hit in each of his five frames, but the only run he surrendered came on a Luis Robert homer in the fourth inning. Bielak helped his case by not issuing any walks after yielding five free passes across 8.2 frames over his first two big-league outings of the season. The right-hander is in the rotation as a result of long-term injuries to Jose Urquidy (shoulder), Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow), and he pitched well enough Saturday to likely see additional starts. Bielak's next turn is tentatively slated to be a favorable home matchup against Oakland.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Handed first loss

  Rotowire May 7, 2023

  Bielak (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings Sunday against Seattle. He took the loss and failed to record a strikeout. Bielak had traffic on the bases nearly the entire afternoon and never found much of a groove. He escaped danger in the first two frames before serving up a solo shot to Julio Rodriguez to lead off the third. Bielak is sporting a 4.15 ERA and a 6:5 K:BB through 8.2 innings. He's currently projected for a road matchup with the White Sox next week.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Starting Sunday against Mariners

  Rotowire May 5, 2023

  Astros manager Dusty Baker announced Friday that Bielak will start Sunday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Brown will start the series finale against Seattle on Sunday with Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez pitching Monday and Tuesday against the Angels. Bielak pitched reasonably well in relief of Luis Garcia on Monday with six strikeouts over four innings while allowing two runs on two hits with three walks. Bielak should be stretched out enough to qualify for a win chance while he's getting starts with the Astros, but he's far from an elite fantasy option and he'll be matchup dependent in terms of recommendation.

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• Astros' Brandon Bielak: Strikes out six in season debut

  Rotowire May 2, 2023

  Bielak did not factor into the decision during Monday's 7-3 win over the Giants, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six over four innings. Bielak was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday to replace Jose Urquidy, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with shoulder discomfort. Luis Garcia drew the start versus San Francisco, but his outing lasted just eight pitches due to a right elbow injury, forcing Bielak to eat up as many innings as he could. The right-hander was a bit shaky with three walks over four innings and surrendered a two-run homer to Joc Pederson, but that was the lone blemish on an otherwise successful night for Bielak. With so many injuries to Houston's rotation, Bielak, who operated as a starter and reliever in the minors, could get a spot start or two moving forward.

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