Bielak allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

This was the third multi-inning outing in four appearances for Bielak. He's been part of a bullpen that's been overworked of late, as Astros starters not named Zack Grienke haven't been getting deep into games. In four appearances, Bielak has a 3.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 10 innings.

Bielak (1-0) earned the win Sunday against Oakland, striking out four in 4.2 innings of relief without allowing a single baserunner.

EDGE Analysis

It's rare that the reliever who picks up a win after a starter fails to throw five innings truly deserves the honor, but this is not one of those cases. Bielak's innings weren't particularly stressful, as he entered with a four-run lead in the bottom of the fifth and saw that extended to seven runs in the top of the sixth, but he couldn't have handled his assignment much more impressively. Bielak isn't the sort of pitcher who would be expected to retire 14 straight batters, as he struggled to a 6.75 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in his 32-inning debut last season, but it's possible his outing signals the start of something new.

Bielak will serve as a reliever to begin the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bielak was in the mix to start the Astros' fifth game of the regular season Monday, but manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Luis Garcia will serve as the team's fifth starter while Jake Odorizzi (conditioning) is unavailable. Bielak should take on a multi-inning role out of the bullpen this season. The right-hander made five appearances (two starts) this spring and posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 16 innings.

Bielak or Luis Garcia will start the fifth game of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bielak, who's been a fill-in starter for the Astros during spring training, will have a multi-inning role to start the regular season. It's just comes down to whether that will be as a starter or out of the bullpen. The No. 5 starter job will eventually belong to Jake Odorizzi once he's built up innings and pitch count. Until then, Bielak or Garcia will serve in that role, and whichever one doesn't start will be part of the bullpen.

Bielak allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings in Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

This was likely Bielak's final appearance during Grapefruit League play. While he allowed eight runs over 16 spring innings, the right-hander finished strong with two runs allowed in nine innings across the last two outings. He's expected to help the Astros get through the first couple of turns of the rotation, as Jake Odorizzi, Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are not stretched out enough to go deep into games.

Bielak allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings in Saturday's spring game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Since he allowed four runs in the first inning of his first Grapefruit League outing, Bielak has made an impressive bid for a roster spot. In 11 subsequent innings, Bielak has allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 11. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 70 (44 strikes) while St. Louis batters flailed away at this slider (nine swing-and-misses), a pitch he spent considerable work on during the offseason, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. If he breaks camp with the club, Bielak could be a traditional starter until Jake Odorizzi is ready, or he can work in a multi-inning relief role behind Cristian Javier and/or Luis Garcia, a pair of starters who are not stretched out due to quarantine periods for health and safety protocols.

Bielak has a chance to pitch as a starter or opener during the first week of the season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houston manager Dusty Baker said Bielak, who has minor-league options, has an "outside shot" to make the Opening Day roster. That chance appears to be tied to the status of other projected starters, like Jake Odorizzi, Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia. All three are behind in terms of their progression for various reasons, which opens the door to Bielak being part of the rotation when the Astros play six straight games to open the season.

Bielak did not allow a hit or walk while striking out three over three scoreless relief innings in Friday's spring game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Bielak had a brutal Grapefruit League debut last Sunday when he allowed four runs and two home runs over two innings, but his bounce-back performance, in which he threw 29 strikes among 33 pitches, came at a time when his importance increased. The Astros continue to evaluate starter Framber Valdez's fractured left ring finger, while Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are sidelined by health and safety protocols. Those developments could lead to Bielak, who started six games for Houston in 2020, becoming a member of this year's rotation.

Bielak will start the Astros' first Grapefruit League contest Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bielak contributed significantly to the Astros in 2020, throwing 32 innings both as a starter and reliever. However, he didn't have consistent success, as he posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with a 26:17 K:BB. Houston made a number of additions to their bullpen this offseason -- most significant of which were Pedro Baez and Steve Cishek -- which means Bielak is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Bielak was optioned to the alternate training site Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bielak surrendered four runs over two innings Saturday, so he'll head to the alternate site in favor of a fresh bullpen arm. He has a 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 26:17 K:BB across 32 innings this season. Nivaldo Rodriguez was recalled in a corresponding move.