Sipp allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's game against Washington.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed Sipp is coming off an atrocious season, one in which his HR rate spiked and same-sided hitters had an .894 OPS off him. It's important that Sipp becomes an effective reliever because he's the lone projected southpaw in the Houston pen. He told Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle that he believes his four-seam fastball doesn't move as much it used to when he was younger, so he's mixing in a two-seamer.

Sipp is the lone MLB-proven left-hander in the Astros bullpen as the team enters spring training, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was widely thought that Houston would acquire a left-handed reliever, either via free agency or a trade, but general manager Jeff Luhnow was never able to swing a deal. Less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report, the other three lefties on the 40-man roster lack a track record in the major leagues. This might come back to hurt Houston. Sipp, an eight-year veteran entering his age-33 season, is coming off a career-worst season (4.95 ERA, 43.2 innings, 12 HR), so look for Houston to continue the search during the spring southpaw hunting season.

Sipp struck out the side during his lone inning of work Tuesday against the Pirates, although not before giving up a run on a solo homer from Gregory Polanco.

EDGE Analysis

Sipp now has allowed six earned runs over six innings pitched in August and his ERA has jumped from 4.71 to 5.45 in that span. He has the second highest WHIP (1.64) on the team amongst pitchers who have appeared in at least 10 games and his 2.9 HR:9 makes him very unreliable from a fantasy perspective.

Sipp allowed two singles while recording just one out during Wednesday's win over Texas, but was bailed out by Pat Neshek, who prevented his inherited runners from scoring by inducing an inning-ending double-play.

EDGE Analysis

Despite performing well in May (1.74 ERA), Sipp has been inconsistent in relief for the Astros this season. The veteran southpaw owns a 3.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 20.2 innings, but he's allowed five home runs after allowing five all of last season in 54.1 innings. Sipp has held right-handed hitters below the Mendoza line over the last two seasons, but they're hitting .270 off him in 2016.

Sipp picked up a save in extra innings despite allowing a run on two hits Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Sipp did pick up two strikeouts, but he now has a 4.11 ERA and has given up 15 hits in 15.1 innings. Luke Gregerson (three blown saves, 4.08 ERA) is and Ken Giles (6.89 ERA) are struggling, but Sipp hasn't done much to force his way up the bullpen depth chart himself.

Sipp was activated from the paternity list Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Sipp will rejoin the team following the birth of his child earlier in the week. Michael Feliz was recalled to take Sipp's spot on the roster, and he'll remain with the team, while Sipp assumes the roster spot vacated by catcher Evan Gattis, who was optioned to Double-A on Friday night.

Sipp was placed on the paternity list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

By rule, Sipp must miss at least one game and no more than three games. Michael Feliz was recalled to take Sipp's spot in the bullpen on a temporary basis. Sipp has recorded three holds but has struggled overall to the tune of a 4.66 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 13 appearances.

Sipp has appeared in six games out of the Astros' bullpen this season, struggling to the tune of three runs on seven hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Sipp's strikeout rate (11.6 K/9) is nice after he registered a 10.3 K/9 last season for the Astros, but he's already coughed up two home runs after permitting just five in all of 2015. The veteran southpaw has held right-handed hitters below the Mendoza line in each of the past two seasons, but they're hitting .308 against him in the early going of 2016.

Sipp has made four Grapefruit League appearances, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts over three innings.

EDGE Analysis

Despite a rough start to his 2016 campaign, the veteran southpaw enjoyed his most productive big league season with the Astros last year, compiling a 1.99 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 62:15 K:BB ratio over 54.1 innings. That earned him a multi-year contract with Houston, who should employ him in a similar way out of the bullpen this year. Sipp won't see too many high-leverage situations with Ken Giles and Luke Gregerson in town, but his success against right-handed hitters (.192 BAA) should keep him in a serviceable role nonetheless.

Sipp signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Astros on Thursday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

EDGE Analysis

It has been a productive 24 hours for the Astros and their quest to strengthen the bullpen, as they also acquired ace reliever Ken Giles in a trade with the Phillies on Wednesday night. With Giles set to close and Luke Gregerson in line to be the setup man, Sipp won't have many high-leverage opportunities. Last year he posted a 1.99 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 54.1 innings, so there is the potential for some deep league value here due to his ability to post low ratios and over a strikeout per inning. The contract hinges on Sipp passing a physical.