Sipp is clear frontrunner for final spot in the bullpen

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— The left-handed reliever job in the Astros’ bullpen had been up for grabs, but now it is Tony Sipp’s to lose.

Manager A.J. Hinch said there is one spot open in the bullpen, and two weeks into spring training he is favoring Sipp.

Sipp has shown improved movement on his split-fingered fastball, his critical off-speed out pitch that appears to have the fluttering finish of a knuckleball.

Hinch said: “There’s a ton of focus on his split because it was a wipeout pitch in ’15. It was erratic in ’16 and ’17. But in reality those that are around pitchers will tell you, it’s hand speed on all of his pitches.

“If he’s got good hand speed on his split, that means he’s finishing his fastballs, his slider is pretty good.”

Command is less of an issue than the drop of Sipp’s splitter.

“Location-wise, a split-finger is not something you’re trying to place in the strike zone,” Hinch said. “It’s more of a hand speed power pitch. With that approach and mentality, he’ll get more results.”

Hinch clarified that the spot is not guaranteed to Sipp. The Astros claimed lefty Buddy Boshers off waivers in the offseason to give him a look, too.

“But at full health, if (Sipp is) throwing the ball well and he shows signs that he can help our bullpen, it’s a pretty tough team to make when you think of a couple starters (Brad Peacock and Collin McHugh) going to the pen,” Hinch said.

Sipp’s contract also might be a persuasive factor. The Astros have $6 million guaranteed to Sipp this season.

Gurriel to resume workouts in camp

Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel will fly back to West Palm Beach on Sunday night and begin working with the team trainer Monday, manager A.J. Hinch said.

Gurriel will be able to run and train his right arm while his left hand recovers from surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone, a procedure that is common among major league hitters.

“We’ll make sure he’s not stagnant,” Hinch said. “They jump right into the strengthening part of the rehab.”

Gurriel has recuperated at home since the surgery Wednesday in Houston. He is expected to miss six weeks.

Strasburg ‘strong’ in spring debut

Washington’s Stephen Strasburg flashed a couple of 98 mph fastballs and threw a few more at 97 in Washington’s 8-1 victory over Houston on Saturday.

“I guess it just shows all the hard work in the offseason, it’s still there,” Strasburg said. “It’s just about being smart and listening to the arm, putting in the work in between starts and keeping it there for the whole season.”

Strasburg elected to skip what would have been his first spring start, choosing to throw a live bullpen at the Nationals’ spring training complex rather than make Monday’s three-hour bus ride to Lake Buena Vista to face Atlanta.

On Saturday, Strasburg allowed one run and three hits while striking out two in two innings. He was also charged with a wild pitch and an error on an errant pickoff attempt.

“I felt really strong,” Strasburg said.

Pitching only from the stretch, Strasburg threw 17 of his 29 pitches for strikes. After leaving the game, he threw approximately 20 pitches in the bullpen.

A three-time All-Star, the 29-year-old Strasburg was 15-4 with a 2.52 ERA last season.

Odds and ends

Starting pitcher Justin Verlander completed three scoreless innings in Sunday’s game. Verlander pitched so efficiently — striking out five and throwing 28 of 38 pitches for strikes — that he did not reach his goal of 50 pitches. … Also in the loss Saturday, lefthander Anthony Gose made a woeful debut, walking three batters and appearing confused on signs from the catcher before being lifted. Righthander Francis Martes came in with men on base and pitched 22⁄3 solid innings. Martes struck out four and allowed one walk, one hit and one run. … Astros minor league pitchers will report to camp Sunday.

Hunter Atkins and wire reports