Grizzlies pitcher Brett Oberholtzer deals with demotion from Astros

Brett Oberholtzer has calmed down significantly since his demotion.

But just before being sent down from the Houston Astros to the Fresno Grizzlies, Oberholtzer had quite the meltdown that included him almost hitting Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.

Now, the left-handed pitcher is trying to reclaim his focus and command that got him to the bigs.

“It is what it is,” Oberholtzer said. “I’m here now. It’s time to get back to work.”

During his last start with the Astros, Oberholtzer gave up six runs off three walks and four hits, including two home runs, while lasting just 11/3 innings.

After surrendering his second home run that day, Oberholtzer threw a fastball inside that almost hit A-Rod and prompted the pitcher’s ejection.

Oberholtzer didn’t argue, instead walking to the dugout before throwing his glove against the wall.

“Just missed my spot pretty good,” Oberholtzer said. “It’s part of the game. Just have to continue to work and get better.”

The Astros hope another stint in the minors could get the 26-year-old back on track.

Oberholtzer, despite the poor outing in his last start with the Astros, is 2-1 with a 4.32 ERA and 24 strikeouts to 16 walks in 331/3 innings in the majors.

Grizzlies pitching coach Ace Adams said Oberholtzer just needs to find his confidence again.

“He’s been in the dumps, he got sent back here; what he needs is encouragement,” Adams said. “I owe it to him to try to bring his confidence back out to him and really work on his mindset.

“I just want him to feel that he still belongs up there. That it’s just a temporary setback. And just for him to continue to work on his pitches.”

Oberholtzer, an eighth-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2008, appeared to still be in a funk during his first start back with the Grizzlies on Saturday.

In the first inning, he gave up three runs off three hits, which included a two-run homer and a double.

But after the rough first, Oberholtzer settled down and threw five scoreless innings with just three more hits allowed.

“It was a little tough to get the mindset of pitching again,” said Oberholtzer, who before Saturday hadn’t pitched since June 27 against the Yankees. “But once I got hit around a little bit, I realized I better buckle down and finish the game strong.

“The five shutout innings afterward was a good sign. And my next one will be better.”

Oberholtzer, who is next scheduled to start Friday on the road against the Sacramento River Cats, has spent parts of each season since 2012 in both Triple-A and the majors.

He said the annual movement from the majors to the minors has made it easier to accept his most recent demotion.

“It’s one of the elements you just have to deal with,” Oberholtzer said. “It’s never easy going back down. But it’s not as tough as it was before.

“Just got to keep working.”

This story was originally published July 6, 2015 at 9:24 PM with the headline "Grizzlies pitcher Brett Oberholtzer deals with demotion from Astros."