Designate Brandon Bielak, activate Cristian Javier

DETROIT — The Astros designated right-hander Brandon Bielak for assignment in a corresponding move to activate starter Cristian Javier from the injured list Saturday.

Bielak, 28, was in Houston’s bullpen as a long man. He entered this season with no minor league options and made the roster in a relief role. He had a 5.71 ERA in 10 appearances totaling 17 1/3 innings.

Half of Bielak’s outings this season spanned at least two innings as he shouldered a workload stemming from rotation-related injuries and a lack of efficiency early in the season. This included an eight-day stretch, April 5-12, in which Bielak threw 146 pitches in eight innings of relief.

Bielak, an 11th-round pick of the Astros in 2017, spent parts of the last five seasons with Houston. He worked as a swingman, making 21 starts in 70 total appearances and tallying a 4.65 ERA in 191 2/3 innings. He had a 3.83 ERA in 15 outings, including 13 starts, last season.

Javier was reinstated from the IL to start Saturday against the Tigers. The right-hander was placed on a 15-day IL on April 21 due to neck discomfort.

The decision to designate Bielak for assignment opens a spot on the Astros’ 40-man roster.