Bielak improving as role increases
JUPITER, Fla. — Brandon Bielak’s importance to the Astros grew tenfold this week. While doctors continue to evaluate Framber Valdez’s fractured left ring finger and Luis Garcia is sidelined by health and safety protocols, Bielak is the team’s only seasoned starting pitching depth on the 40-man roster.
Even if Garcia returns after his mandated sevenday absence, Bielak will battle him to take the innings Valdez’s absence could create. After a brutal beginning to his Grapefruit League season, Bielak is finding stable footing.
Bielak breezed through three perfect innings in relief of starter Jose Urquidy during Friday’s 1-0 loss to the Miami Marlins. Facing most of Miami’s everyday major league lineup, Bielak threw 29 of his 33 pitches for strikes while inducing 10 swings and misses.
Since allowing four hits and two home runs during his Grapefruit League debut last week, Bielak has retired 15 consecutive hitters. He mixed five pitches perfectly on Friday, avoiding a problem that plagued him for most of last season and early in spring training.
“Last outing, I got pretty fastball-heavy again,” Bielak said. “I was happy with the way I commanded all my offspeed pitches and the heater today. So, yeah, that was definitely part of the plan today.”
Bielak threw just nine four-seam fastballs during his 33-pitch outing. He threw four changeups. Three were swung upon and missed. Of his 12 sliders, six were either swung on and missed or called a strike.
“That’s the best he’s thrown in a while, especially after the rough outing the first time,” manager Dusty Baker said. “That’s a tribute to him to put that behind him and going forward.”
“We’re going to give him an opportunity. A couple guys are vying for that spot, and then it opens up another spot on your team. I’m just glad we have the depth and pitching that we do have. It’s going to be hard to replace Framber, but if (Bielak) throws like that, it’s more than adequate.”
New utility player adjusts to needs
Robel Garcia’s first meeting with Dusty Baker contained an important message.
“He told me I have a chance to make the team, the big-league team this year, more than anything because of my versatility,” Garcia said this week through an interpreter. “I have a chance to play a role with the team this year.”
Claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels last week, Garcia is on the Astros’ 40-man roster and made his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Miami Marlins. Garcia started at second base — his most natural position — but the Astros will ask him to move all
over the diamond in the next few weeks.
Garcia has only made major league starts at second base and left field, but has minor league experience at third base and shortstop. To impact the Astros’ roster this year, Garcia may be best served to focus on the outfield, where little depth exists.
“I would feel comfortable with it,” Garcia said of playing the outfield. “I’ve been working a lot on playing those different positions, getting comfortable, and I’ve also talked to a lot of guys who play those positions naturally who’ve given me some interesting advice and helpful advice. I’d be comfortable if they ask me to do it.”
Garcia’s presence gives the Astros a glut of utilitymen
on their 40-man roster. Aledmys Diaz ostensibly has a spot secured on the 26-man roster, and Abraham Toro will compete for the final spot on Houston’s opening day bench. At worst, Garcia profiles as upper-minor league infield depth.
At best, he could break out in spring and sneak a spot on the opening day roster.
Bregman, Alvarez making progress
Though neither has made his Grapefruit League debut, third baseman Alex Bregman “appears to be ahead” of designated hitter Yordan Alvarez in their rehabilitation from nagging discomfort.
Bregman suffered a
“slight tweak” of his hamstring this winter, forcing the club to bring him along slowly at the start of spring training. Bregman has worked on the field more than Alvarez in the last few days, manager Dusty Baker said, but neither appears close to seeing game action.
“We have to be smart for (Bregman), smart for Alvarez and hopefully by opening day we’ll have everybody,” Baker said on Thursday.
Alvarez underwent surgery on both knees last August. The 23-year-old Cuban slugger has done most of his work inside the Astros’ facility during spring training. Last week, through an interpreter, Alvarez said “I feel a lot better than what people must assume.”
Odds and ends
Saturday’s Astros-Mets game at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches was moved to 12:05 p.m. in preparation for inclement weather. Zack Greinke will make his Grapefruit League debut against Mets ace Jacob deGrom .…The Cardinals beat the Astros 4-1 in a “B” game on the back fields in West Palm Beach on Friday. … Major league relievers Ryne Stanek and Blake Taylor each tossed scoreless innings in the B game. … Prospect Zach Daniels hit a solo home run and doubled off Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty during the B game.