Athletics acquire Brandon Bielak from Astros
During the series too
The A’s made a trade this morning with their division rivals (and team they’re currently playing), acquiring right-handed starter Brandon Bielak from the Houston Astros for cash considerations:
The A’s have acquired RHP Brandon Bielak from the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP Easton Lucas has been designated for assignment.
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) May 16, 2024
Drafted by the Astros in the 11th round in 2017, Bielak has made appearances for Houston in each of the past five years. He’s bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen, making 70 appearances with 21 starts. Last year was his best season as he made 13 starts and posted a 3.83 ERA over 80 innings pitched.
This season Bielak has made it into 10 games for Houston, pitching exclusively in relief. Over 17 1⁄3 innings he's sporting a 5.71 ERA with a 9/7 KK/BB ratio. He’ll join the Oakland bullpen, and it’ll be pretty convenient as he just needs to walk across the field to the other clubhouse. Maybe he’ll even make it into today’s game.
To make room on the roster for Bielak the team designated left-handed Easton Lucas for assignment. Originally acquired from the Orioles for Shintaro Fujinami, Lucas made it into nine games for the A’s over the past two years, his only big league action to this point. It hasn’t gone well but as a lefty one would have to imagine interest from around the league. Hopefully not and the team can sneak him through waivers to keep him in the organization.