Fantasy News

• Athletics' Brandon Bielak: Sent outright to Triple-A

  Rotowire May 30, 2024

  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

  Rotowire May 25, 2024

  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 May 24, 2024

  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

  Rotowire May 16, 2024

  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

  Rotowire May 11, 2024

  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

  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: 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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