The Astros are reshuffling the back end of their rotation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com relays. Right-hander Josh James will head to the bullpen, while fellow righty Brandon Bielak will slide into their starting staff. Bielak’s first-ever start will come Thursday against the Diamondbacks.
The perennially contending Astros have gotten off to a so-so start this season, and the dominant rotation they boasted last season is no longer intact. Reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander is on the shelf with a forearm injury, and the club lost Gerrit Cole in free agency. Zack Greinke and Lance McCullers Jr. remain in the fold, though neither has prevented runs at a quality clip in 2020. McCullers took a beating at the hands of the D-backs on Wednesday. If you want to take an optimistic approach, though, Greinke’s a longtime ace, McCullers has enjoyed a fine career and shouldn’t be discounted in his return from a Tommy John procedure, Cristian Javier has been one of the best rookies in baseball in the early going, and Framber Valdez was terrific in a win over the Angels last weekend.
Unfortunately for Houston, opposing offenses have battered James so far. The 27-year-old opened the season with two starts and six innings of seven-run ball before the Astros booted him from their rotation. James only yielded four hits in that span, and he struck out nine, but he issued an alarming number of walks (11) and saw his average velocity drop from 97-mph plus to under 96. For at least the time being, James will head back to a relief role for a Houston club dealing with numerous injuries in its bullpen. James worked 61 1/3 innings (49 appearances, one start) last season and logged a 4.70 ERA/3.98 FIP with 14.67 K/9 and 5.14 BB/9.
Bielak, 24, was an 11th-round pick of the Astros in 2017 who ranks as a top 15 Astros prospect at multiple outlets. He has been a useful hurler for the club at the outset of his career, having combined for 5 1/3 frames of one-run ball with six strikeouts and three walks in his first two appearances.
The Astros have lost alot of their pitching last two years. Morton, Cole, and Keuchel and now Verlander is out for a while that is not good. Zack is getting up their in his age. And you cannot really rely on Lance to be your Ace they might try to trade one of their surplus of above average hitters for a key pitcher maybe an one year rental since every single game counts this season pitching will be a key factor to whoever goes all the way.
They probably wouldn’t mind having Wade Miley around right now even. They could really use another veteran in there somewhere, IMO. Even if it’s not someone spectacular.
Braves: Hold my beer.
Braves comment is so true it hurts…
Too bad Miley is on the IL as well…
heck with Cole’s winning streak, Bielak is 2/2 on them in his career
Jose Urqiudy should be back in a couple of weeks.
They need to make sure he is really ready though. They can’t afford for him to get injured too.
I’m excited for Bielak going into the rotation. Now on with a rant:
Something I’ve found out this season is that the Rangers and Astros are POLAR opposites this season. The Astros can pull random players out their butt and stick them into the bullpen, and they all pitch like Mariano Rivera. The Rangers are lucky if their “reliable” guys in the pen come through. The lineup for the Astros is coming through despite not getting very good production out of some big names. The Rangers just aren’t getting production out of their lineup. The Astros rotation has been shaky after losing Verlander, kind of a plug to fill situation. The Rangers rotation has been quite good despite losing Kluber. (Allard looked really good the other day too). Oh, and one has a winning record, and one sucks.
The Astros rookie pitchers have been one of the few bright spots for them so far this season. Cristian Javier has been great, and might even stay in the starting rotation. Blake Taylor has also been outstanding, giving them a reliable lefty in their bullpen for the first time in quite a while. Bielak makes his first start in the rubber game against Arizona, hopefully he will continue pitching well.
Andre Scrubb, Humberto Castellanos, Brandon Bailey, and Enoli Parades have also made incredible debuts in the majors over the past two weeks. One has to wonder how long they can keep it up.
Javier looking excellent, Urquidy back soon, and holding out hope for JV in a couple of weeks. We’re not TOO worried about the rotation. It’s that bullpen that’s so concerning…
I thought an Astro rotation was called an orbit.
You win the internet today
Didn’t think they’d be in this position after trading for Greinke last year and seemingly having the cupboards stocked with starting pitcher prospects for what had seems like forever.
What’s going on with Chase Whitley?
Is he nursing an injury still or something? Whatever the case may be, they’re lucky Cristian Javier has looked comfortable in his short time since being added to their rotation. I liked what I saw from Bielak in relief along with their seemingly endless supply of unheralded but productive young relievers like Cy Sneed, Bryan Abreu, and especially lefty, Blake Taylor.
I believe you’re referring to Forrest Whitley. He is nursing an injury, but has just never lived up to his potential. After his PED ban a few years back, just never has seemed to get back on track.
Lol! He took adhd medicine. Hardly a real PED.
Bang the drum (I mean trash can) slowly. Karma catching up to this bunch of cheaters!!!!
Look!! I made a trash can reference! Ha ha ha ha ha! MAN, I’m clever!
Doug Jones…love the insight!
So tired Douggie. Sod off.
Nah keep them coming Doug. Astros cheated, and I see no reason to stop talking about it any time soon.
This is karma biting the Astros and not because they cheated. Maybe the baseball gods would have shown some mercy have they actually sounded genuine in their apologies. Every apology with them reading off a piece of paper and never once did you ever hear them use the word “cheated“. There is a good chance this “karma“ could plague these guys through the rest of their careers.
they needed to use the word when it was obvious people knew what they were apologizing for? do apologies need to be spoon-fed to the public?
How can a grown man comment on the internet about being having his feelings hurt over not getting a “genuine” apology from professional athletes?
You need to do some soul searching buddy. Get over it.