Bielak makes case to be on opening-day roster
JUPITER, Fla. —
Bielak settled down, found his slider and seems destined for the Astros’ opening day roster.
Since allowing the first four hitters he faced in Grapefruit League play to score, Bielak has built a compelling case to break camp with the major league team. He worked five efficient innings against most of the St. Louis Cardinals opening-day lineup during a 5-2 loss on Saturday, furthering his position as a versatile, durable arm for a pitching staff that needs it.
“I think I was a little juiced up out there getting that start the first day of spring training,” Bielak said of his bad beginning. “I’ve been able to calm down my nerves and talk to some of the other guys on the team to understand what I’m here to do in spring training and what I need to focus on in spring training. That’s kind of been the mindset I’ve had the last few outings.”
Bielak built his pitch count to 70 across five solid frames on Saturday. He threw 44 of his 70 pitches for strikes and yielded just two hits. The Cardinals swung and missed nine times against his slider, a pitch Bielak worked throughout the winter to refine for more success against righthanded hitters. Righties slashed .397/.470/.879 in 58 major league at-bats last season, necessitating some change in his repertoire.
Bielak tinkered with grips throughout the offseason. Pitching coach Brent Strom instructed him to open his front side more when releasing the pitch, allowing the ball to sweep away from righthanded hitters. Bielak threw 26 sliders on Saturday. Nine were swung on and missed while four others were called strikes.
Dylan Carlson’s two-run home run in the second was Bielak’s only blemish. His position for the opening day roster grows more firm with each appearance.
Bielak could ostensibly fill one of two roles: either a traditional starting pitcher in place of Jake Odorizzi during the first regular-season road trip or a long man in the bullpen who can relieve Cristian Javier or Luis Garcia after an expected short start.
Bielak is one of three Astros pitchers built up to throw at least five innings, joining Jose Urquidy and Lance McCullers Jr..
“He’s made the most of (his opportunity),” manager Dusty Baker said of Bielak.
Baker shuffles starting outfielders
Dusty Baker shuffled his starting outfielders for Saturday’s Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals in preparation for regular season scenarios that may arise mid-game.
Kyle Tucker started in center field despite having one major league inning of experience at the position. Myles Straw manned left and Michael Brantley went to right.
Of the three contingencies, Brantley in right field seems the most feasible during the regular season. Baker could choose to play designated hitter Yordan Alvarez or utilityman Aledmys Diaz for a game in left field — the only outfield spot where either is serviceable. Brantley does not like to DH, so his only solution to play defense is in right field.
Tucker demonstrating competence in center field could give Baker flexibility to use him there if Straw struggles during the regular season. Baker can more easily pinch hit for Straw late in games, too, with that in mind.
“Me and (Tucker) came up in the minor leagues and they’d always rotate us through left, center and right,” Straw said.
Tucker finished as a Gold Glove finalist last season in left field, but will patrol right more regularly this season given Brantley’s return.
Odds and ends
After he was absent earlier this week due to a personal matter, Zack Greinke will start for the Astros against the Marlins on Sunday ... Non-roster invitee Steven Souza Jr. continued his miserable spring with another strikeout on Saturday against the Cardinals. Souza, who is in competition for the club's fourth outfielder spot, is 1-for-20 with 13 strikeouts and five walks during Grapefruit League play . ... Manager Dusty Baker had no update on reliever Andre Scrubb on Saturday, one day after the righthander exited a Grapefruit League start with right shoulder soreness.