Oberholtzer Sent Down, Cisnero Brought Up

When your starting pitchers struggle to go more than one inning three times in one week, your bullpen will get tired. The Astros have made another move to bring in a fresh arm, calling up Jose Cisnero for today’s game.

The 24-year old Cisnero hasn’t started the year off well in OKC. He has a 9.35 ERA in just 8.2 IP this year, and was today’s scheduled starter for OKC before the call up. Cisnero had a 3.70 ERA in 28 starts last year, and seems to profile better as a member of the bullpen in the future. The Astros will use Cisnero in a long-relief role if needed the next few days, and his stint in Houston will likely be short.

To make room for Cisnero, the Astros optioned Brett Oberholtzer to OKC. Oberholtzer

got his shot in the bigs

had his 24-hour pass in the bigs last night, pitching two innings while giving up three hits and two runs (both solo home runs). Oberholtzer will probably be called back up later this year in either a relief or starting role.

Look for Cisnero to make his debut either tonight or within the next few days, and then be sent back to OKC. It’s possible the Astros keep Cisnero in the majors for the time being, but they may also send him back down tomorrow, and call up another arm for tomorrow’s game.