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Brandon Backe | Relief Pitcher

Team: Houston Astros
Age / DOB:  (35) / 4/5/1978
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 195
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
College: Galveston (TX) CC
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Free agent Brandon Backe fully intends to pitch in 2011.
Backe was diagnosed with a partial thickness tear of his right rotator cuff in July of 2009 and has not pitched since. He registered a poor 6.05 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 31 starts back in 2008 -- his last full season. It's doubtful that he will be able to find anything more than a minor league deal. Tue, Nov 16, 2010 12:52:00 PM
Source: Jon Paul Morosi on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Free agent Brandon Backe has been diagnosed with a partial thickness tear of his right rotator cuff and will seek a second opinion on his shoulder.

If Backe opts for surgery, the Astros would have to pay for it, even though they released him at the end of last month. Even if he chooses to rehab, it's doubtful that he'll pitch in the majors again this year.
Thu, Jul 9, 2009 09:24:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brewers GM Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt that he has no interest in the recently-released Brandon Backe.

Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said Tuesday that the club might "take a look" at the former Astro, but it sounds like Milwaukee never had serious interest. Backe, 31, had a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings with the Astros this season. He was granted his release over the weekend. This bit of news bodes well for Mike Burns' chances of sticking with the team.
Related: Brewers, Mike Burns
Source: Tom Haudricourt on Twitter
Wed, Jul 1, 2009 02:17:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash said the team will "take a look" at Brandon Backe after he was released by the Astros.

Mike Burns' solid outing against the Mets on Tuesday may change the team's plans. Backe sported a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings with Houston and carries a career 5.23 ERA into free agency. The Brewers would be better off keeping their fingers crossed with Burns.
Related: Brewers
Source: MLBlogs.com
Tue, Jun 30, 2009 10:18:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brandon Backe refused his assignment and will be released according to MLB.com.

Backe was designated for assignment Saturday and placed on waivers Monday with the intention of releasing him. He had a 10.38 ERA in 13 innings with Houston this season and is now free to sign with any team.
Source: MLB.com
Mon, Jun 29, 2009 09:26:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Astros designated RHP Brandon Backe for assignment.

Backe was dumped to make room for Felipe Paulino. Because of his veteran status, Backe could reject an assignment to the minors and push for his release or trade.
Sat, Jun 27, 2009 08:51:00 AM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brandon Backe allowed three runs over four innings in his first start of the season on Thursday night.

Unfortunately, he didn't look much better in his first start than he had in his four relief appearances. He was limited to 60 pitches, and threw only 34 of them for strikes while issuing one walk and failing to strike out a batter. He served up two homers, and has now allowed five in 13 innings this year.
Thu, Jun 18, 2009 11:33:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brandon Backe is scheduled to make his first start of the season Thursday against the Astros.

Backe has a 12.00 ERA this season in nine relief innings. "It’s more just me getting people out," he said, trying to explain his struggles. "I really haven’t done too good of a job lately. Hopefully I’ll turn it around with this start."
Source: Houston Chronicle
Thu, Jun 18, 2009 10:08:00 AM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Astros activated RHP Brandon Backe from the 15-day disabled list.

Backe compiled a 2.25 ERA and 21/10 K/BB ratio in six minor league starts. He'll pitch out of the Astros' bullpen until something goes wrong in the starting rotation.
Thu, May 28, 2009 08:21:00 AM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Manager Cecil Cooper indicated that Brandon Backe will be activated from the disabled list Friday.

He will be available out of the bullpen immediately until the Astros decide what to do with their rotation. Felipe Paulino will make at least one more start after today. Backe appears to be a bit miffed that the team doesn't yet know where he fits: "If that's the case, in return, I've got to ask why I went off and made six starts."
Related: Felipe Paulino
Source: MLBlogs.com
Wed, May 27, 2009 06:32:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

A grand jury has decided not to indict Brandon Backe on a resisting arrest charge stemming from an incident with Galveston police last October.

"It's nice," said Backe. "I wish it didn't have to go all the way to a grand jury. I felt confident through all of this that everything was going to come out with the right verdict."
Source: Houston Chronicle
Tue, May 26, 2009 06:42:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brandon Backe (strained intercostal) is scheduled to make his sixth rehab start Saturday at Triple-A Round Rock.

Backe tossed eight shutout innings for Double-A Corpus Christi on Monday night. "He had impressive numbers," manager Cecil Cooper said. "It was probably his most impressive outing. He’s going to get one more on Saturday. Two or three days after that, we have to make a decision." The Astros haven't decided whether he'll be used in the bullpen or starting rotation once he returns to the bigs.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Wed, May 20, 2009 08:28:00 AM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brandon Backe (intercostal) threw eight shutout innings for Double-A Corpus Christi Monday, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out five.

Manager Cecil Cooper expects Backe to make one more rehab start before rejoining the Astros. If he's deemed ready for the rotation in a week and a half, Felipe Paulino will likely be the odd man out. Backe won't have fantasy value regardless.
Source: MLBlogs.com
Tue, May 19, 2009 07:52:00 PM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Brandon Backe is scheduled to make another rehab start Monday.

It'll be his fifth, and he's expected to make at least one more. "I would think he needs it," said Astros manager Cecil Cooper. "He hasn’t gotten to 100 pitches yet." Backe has been on the disabled list since late March with a strained intercostal muscle.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Mon, May 18, 2009 10:26:00 AM
Brandon Backe - R - Astros

Astros manager Cecil Cooper indicated Thursday that Brandon Backe (ribs) could require two more rehab starts.

That would make for a total of six. If Backe was throwing with more command he'd probably be ready for major league action right now, but he allowed four earned runs Wednesday night to a group of Double-A hitters.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Fri, May 15, 2009 11:04:00 AM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Jason Castro
2Carlos Corporan
1B1Carlos Pena
2B1Jose Altuve
2Jacob Elmore
SS1Marwin Gonzalez
2Ronny Cedeno
3B1Matt Dominguez
LF1J.D. Martinez
2Brandon Barnes
CF1Justin Maxwell
2Robbie Grossman
3Trevor Crowe
RF1Jimmy Paredes
DH1Chris Carter
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Bud Norris
2Lucas Harrell
3Jordan Lyles
4Dallas Keuchel
5Erik Bedard
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Jose Veras
2Wesley Wright
3Hector Ambriz
4Josh Fields
5Jose Cisnero
6Paul Clemens
7Travis Blackley
8Edgar Gonzalez
9Alex White