The A’s introduced this morning that they’ve chosen the contract of right-hander Brandon Bielak. Lefty Brady Basso was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Bielak on the membership’s lively roster, and the 40-man roster now stands at 40.
Bielak, 28, was an Eleventh-round decide by the Astros within the 2017 draft and pitched for Houston on the massive league degree in every of the previous 5 seasons. He served as a stable back-of-the-rotation arm and swing man from 2021-23, with a mixed 4.05 ERA (104 ERA+) and 4.78 FIP in 48 video games (15 begins) throughout these years. The righty started to battle with the membership within the majors this yr, nonetheless, and in ten appearances as a multi-inning reliever surrendered a 5.71 ERA whereas strolling (8.4%) practically as many batters as he struck out (10.8%).
These struggles had been sufficient for the Astros to resolve to chop bait on the right-hander, and he was swapped to the A’s in a money deal again in Might because of this. The appropriate-hander made simply three appearances together with his new membership on the massive league degree however posted improved outcomes over these 5 2/3 innings of labor, surrendering two runs and strolling only one whereas putting out three. Nonetheless, the A’s designated him for project simply over every week after buying him, although in contrast to Houston they managed to sneak him by means of waivers and outright him to the minor leagues.
Since then, Bielak has struggled with Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, with a 6.08 ERA in 66 2/3 innings of labor throughout 16 appearances (13 begins). These outcomes are somewhat lackluster, even after accounting for the Pacific Coast League’s inflated offensive atmosphere. Bielak will now get one other alternative on the massive league degree with the A’s regardless of these shaky numbers, doubtless performing as a protracted aid choice alongside veteran Ross Stripling for the membership’s bullpen down the stretch.
Extra to return…