Cody

Bolton

Bolton cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Astros on Monday. He could elect free agency, but is just as likely — if not more so — to remain in Triple-A with Houston.

Bolton gets the boot from Houston’s relief mix after posting a pedestrian 5.40 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 22/14 K/BB ratio across 20 innings over eight appearances.

AJ Blubaugh followed him and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing one run. That might open the door for him to start next time through the rotation. Or Bolton could get the call again. The Astros have Thursday off, so depending on how they want to play it, they won’t need a fifth starter again until May 12.

Bolton will make his first start since coming off the injured list Thursday. The right-hander will likely get no more than a couple turns through the lineup, and there should be better fantasy option for those looking for a streamer.

Bolton missed the minimum amount of time with mid-back inflammation. It remains to be seen if he takes his spot back in the rotation or works in some kind of tandem with Kai-Wei Teng. Both pitchers remain off the fantasy radar.

Bolton hits the shelf after allowing five runs over 8 1/3 innings over three appearances for the Astros this season. The injuries are really starting to pile up for Houston’s pitching staff at this point.

Bolton was clearly tight and was unable to continue after walking the bases loaded in the second inning. The right-hander was only starting because of the injuries to the Houston staff, and it seems more likely than not that Bolton will be placed on the injured list prior to Monday’s game against Seattle.

It appears to be yet another injury to the Astros’ pitching staff, Bolton seemed to be dealing with some sort of tightness in his shoulder area before leaving. The right-hander walked the bases loaded, and was then lifted after two strikes to Brendan Donovan. The specifics on why Bolton had to exit should be available shortly. Jayden Murray has taken over on the mound.

The Astros are dealing with a plethora of injuries in their rotation at the moment and need all the help that they can get, so it sounds like Bolton will have an opportunity to stick around if he pitches well. He allowed just two runs over 4 1/3 innings in a spot start against the Rockies on Monday.

Bolton, 27, made his first MLB start, and all things considered, it went ok. He blanked the Rockies into the fifth before giving up a pair of runs, and he was much more effective than Ryan Weiss (2 1/3 IP, 6 ER) despite the late scuffles. Bolton could make another start over the weekend against Seattle, but fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option, if necessary.