Tony and his wife, Kasey, reside in Moss Point, Miss., in the offseason with their daughter, Aaleiyah... Graduated from Moss Point H.S. in Mississippi in 2001 and was drafted by the Cubs in the 28th round of the 2001 draft, but did not sign... Elected to attend Okaloosa-Walton Junior College for his freshman year and was drafted by the White Sox in the 33rd round of the 2002 draft...did not sign and instead transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for his sophomore season... Transferred to Clemson University for his junior year and played one season as a twoway player, serving as the Tigers center fielder and leadoff hitter while also making 22 appearances on the mound...posted a 4.69 ERA with 59 strikeouts in his 48.0 innings pitched...hit .280 with 13 doubles, 23 RBI and 20 stolen bases...was drafted by Cleveland in the 45th round of the June 2004 draft...signed by Indians scout Tim Moore... Originally added to a Major League 40-man roster on Nov. 19, 2007...missed his entire 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery... Signed by Houston as a Major League free agent on May 2, 2014...began the 2014 season at Triple A in the Padres organization before asking for and being granted his release... Signed a three-year contract with Houston on Dec. 11, 2015, in what was his first time entering the market as a free agent...the deal runs through the 2018 season.
2017
Made 46 relief appearances for the Astros...struck out 39 batters in 37.1 innings for a 9.40 strikeouts per 9.0 innings ratio, which was his highest mark since 2015 (10.27)...made his seventh Opening Day roster, and third with the Astros...missed 28 games on the DL with right calf soreness from Aug. 1-Sept. 2...struck out a season-high three batters on May 16 at MIA...pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in the outing, which became a new career-high...became the first Astros left-handed reliever to allow no hits and no walks in an outing of 2.2 innings or more since LHP C.J. Nitkowski went 3.0 perfect frames on April 9, 1998 at SF...reached a season-low in ERA (2.77) and opponent batting average (.152) after his scoreless inning on May 21...snapped his streak of pitching more than 1.0 inning, which he had done so in three consecutive outings...tied the longest such streak of his career...pitched 1.0 scoreless inning on Sept. 8 at OAK...was his first appearance since being activated from the DL...finished the season scoreless in seven of his last eight appearances (1.69 ERA)...made three appearances in the minors while on rehab assignment...pitched 1.0 inning in all three outings, one with Double A Corpus Christi (Aug. 22) and two with Triple A Fresno (Aug. 25 and Aug. 28).
2016
Made 60 appearances for the second consecutive season...became the first Astros lefty with three consecutive seasons of at least 50 appearances since LHP Tim Byrdak (2008-10)...placed on the paternity list on May 6...activated from the paternity list on May 7...recorded the 400th strikeout of his career on April 22 vs. BOS...became one of six active left-handed relievers to reach 400 career strikeouts, joining Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Antonio Bastardo, Boone Logan and J.P. Howell...got the save on May 17 at CWS in an Astros 6-5, 11.0 inning win...was his first save since Sept. 10, 2014 at SEA...was scoreless in eight of his last nine outings of the season, posting three holds and a 1.17 ERA (1ER/7.2IP).
2015
Finished second among Astros relievers in ERA for the second consecutive year as the club's primary left-hander out of the bullpen...marked his sixth straight season with at least 50 appearances...among AL lefty relievers, ranked second in ERA behind LHP Zach Britton (1.92), and ranked fourth in opponent batting average (.208)...also ranked sixth in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.27, 62SO/54.1IP)...his 1.99 ERA (12ER/54.1IP) was the lowest of his career, and ranked sixth all-time among left-handed Astros relievers for a single season...was the lowest since LHP Billy Wagner posted a 1.78 ERA in 2003...held righties to a.190 batting average (19x100) and a .183 avg. (35x191) over the past two seasons combined...was scoreless in 49 of his 60 appearances...made 18 appearances with two or more strikeouts...were his most multiple strikeout games since 2010, when he tallied 20...stranded 23.5 percent (26-of-34) of inherited runners...ranked tied for 14th among AL relievers...owned a 1.69 ERA (4ER/21.1IP) in 23 one-run games this season,which ranked tied for eighth in the AL...pitched in each of the Astros six postseason games...owned a 0.00 ERA (0ER/5.1IP), and held opponents to a .056 batting average...is one of four pitchers in franchise history to own a 0.00 ERA in the postseason with at least 5.0 innings pitched...his first four outings this postseason were hitless, scoreless and at least 0.2 of an inning...became one of twelve AL pitchers since 1903 to post a four-game streak matching this criteria in the postseason...made his fifth appearance on an Opening Day roster, first since 2013 with the D-Backs and first with the Astros...had a career-long 20-game scoreless streak from July 7-Sept. 15...was the fourth-longest scoreless streak by a lefty in franchise history, and the longest since LHP Tim Byrdak's 22-game streak from July 31-Sept. 20, 2010...recorded 19 strikeouts, while allowing just a .164 (10x61) opponent batting average in that span...was scoreless in 26 of his last 27 games (from July 7-Oct. 4)...allowed 16 hits and one run in 24.0 innings (0.38 ERA) in that span, striking out 29 with eight walks and a .188 (16x85) opponent batting average...earned his third win of the season (1st since 4/26at OAK) after tossing 1.1 scoreless innings on Sept. 30 at SEA, striking out two...in the postseason, pitched in all six of Houston's playoff games and was nearly unhittable, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings of relief while allowing just one hit...in the AL Wild Card Game at Yankee Stadium, fired a hitless 7th inning to help the Astros secure a 3-0 victory and a berth in the American League Division Series against the Royals, in what was his first career postseason appearance.
2014
Finished second among Astros relievers in ERA as the club's primary left-hander out of the bullpen...led the club with 11 holds...posted the second-lowest opponents' average by a reliever in Astros history (.157), behind only LHP Billy Wagner's mark of .135 set in 1999...also posted the fourth-lowest WHIP (0.89)by a reliever in club history, and the lowest since Wagner's 2003 season (0.87)...ranked fifth among AL relievers in opponents' average (.157) and eighth in WHIP (0.89)...ranked third among all Major League pitchers in opponents' average vs. lefties (min. 90 batters faced)...ranked as the second-lowest mark in Astros history for a single season (min. 90 batters faced), behind LHP Tim Byrdak in 2008 (.135)...did not allow a run in his 15 appearances in day games (15.1IP)...retired 20 consecutive batters to begin his Astros career, which is the longest start-of-career streak in franchise history per Elias...of the 20 batters he retired, 11 were via the strikeout...ended up retiring 28 of the first 31 batters he faced this season... also set a club record by not allowing a baserunner in his first five relief appearances as an Astro...prior to Sipp, the last MLB pitcher to not allow a baserunner in his first five appearances to start a season was RHP Fernando Rodney in 2012...posted the highest strikeout rate (31.8%) by an Astros reliever since RHP Brad Lidge in 2005 (35.4%)...was scoreless in 47 of his 56 appearances...had four long scoreless appearance streaks: 12 games (June 7-July 2), nine games (May 2-30), eight games (July 7-28) and seven games (Aug. 12-23)...began the season at Triple A El Paso in the Padres organization...asked for and was granted his release on May 1 before signing a one-year contract with Houston on May 2...on May 11 at BAL, struck out a career-high five batters over 2.0 perfect innings...was scoreless in each of his first nine games as an Astro, which ranked as the seventh-longest streak in Astros history...was the longest since RHP LaTroy Hawkins set the club record with a 17-game scoreless streak in 2008...on June 9 at ARI, pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out three batters...after recording three outs, moved to right field for one hitter (Paul Goldschmidt) before returning to the mound to strike out Miguel Montero...prior to Sipp, the last reliever to enter a game in the outfield for Houston was LHP Wesley Wright on July 27, 2012, vs. PIT...Sipp and Wright are the only pitchers in club history to have both pitched and played in the field in the same game...on June 15 vs. TB, pitched and played the outfield in the same game for the second time in 2014...retired one batter in the 8th inning and moved to left field for the final out of the inning...returned to the mound in the 9th inning to record two outs...picked up his first save of the year on June 29 vs. DET, marking his third career save...made 11 appearances at Triple A El Paso, going 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA (7ER/14.2IP)...struck out 21 batters and walked just two.
2013
In his first season in the National League, went 3-2 for Arizona with a 4.78 ERA (20ER/37.2IP) in 56 appearances...struck out 42 in 37.2 innings, posting a 10.04 strikeouts-per-nine ratio, his best mark since 2009 (10.80)...31 of his 56 appearances were less than 1.0 inning...reached the 50 appearance mark for the fourth consecutive season...went 3-1 with a 3.90 ERA (12ER/27.2IP) in 42 games in the first half of play...was only used in 14 games in the second half, pitching 10.0 innings (8ER)...outrighted off the D-Backs roster on Nov. 27 and elected free agency.
2012
Went 1-2 with 1 save and a 4.42 ERA (27 ER in 55.0
IP) in 63 relief appearances with the Indians...notched at
least 10 holds for his fourth straight season...Limited left-handed hitters to a .209 average (23-for-11)...ERA was 6.66 on June 23 but posted a 2.64 ERA (9 ER
in 30.2 IP) in his final 34 games.
2011
Was outstanding in a set-up role this season, finishing tied for 7th among American League relievers in appearances (69), tied for 6th w/a team-high 24 holds, tied for 3rd in relief wins (6) and 12th in relief batting average against (.201)...His .204 (19-93) average with men on base was 13th among AL relievers...Did not work earlier than the 7th inning all season...56 of his 69 appearances were scoreless...Did not allow a run over his first 8 outings (8.2IP) thru April 17...21 of his first 22 outings were scoreless and carried a 1.19 ERA thru his first 22 games of May 28 (22.2IP, 11H, 3ER)...Posted combined ERA of 4.95 (20.0IP, 17H, 11ER) in June/July...ERA the other 4 months was 2.13 (42.1IP, 28H, 10ER)...Had a 13 game (13.1IP) scoreless streak from April 21-May 28...ERA from July 10th thru the end of the season was 3.33 (27.0IP, 24H, 10ER)...ERA from August 1 thru the end of the season was 2.84 (19.0IP, 16H, 6ER)...ERA from Sept 7 thru end of season was 9.00 that pushed his season ERA from 2.51 to 3.03 (5.0IP, 8H, 5ER) and took his Sept ERA to 7.11 in 8 games (6.1IP, 8H, 6R/5ER)...Had an ERA of 0.71 in 13 August games (12.2IP, 8H, 1R/ER)...First batters hit .254 (16-63) off him with 5HR allowed...Allowed 10HR in 62.1IP, tied for 4th most among AL relievers...Left-handed and RH hitters had virtually identical OPS marks off him (.655/.654)...Batters hit .204 (19-93) off him with runners on and .242 (15-62) with RISP.
2010
Spent the entire season at the Major League level...Season-ending ERA total of 4.14 was not re ective of his overall
effectiveness this season save for a 3 appearance stretch from May 28-June 3 where he allowed 11 runs (11ER) in
1.0IP...ERA in other 67 outings was 2.61 (62.0IP, 40H, 18ER).
...Did not allow an earned run over 15 straight appearances from April 21-May 23 (15.1IP, 5H, 1R/0ER, 7BB, 14K)...52
of his 70 appearances were scoreless...ERA from June 19 thru the end of the season was 2.40 (41.1IP, 25H, 11ER,
.181AVG) that lowered his ERA from 7.48 to 4.14...ERA vs. the NY Yankees was 30.38 (2.2IP, 9ER, 4G)...ERA from
August 11 thru the end of the season was 1.74 (1-0, 20.2IP, 12H, 4ER, 23K)...Did not allow a run over 9 appearances
from June 19-July 7 (8.1IP).
...Notched first Major League save on July 23 vs. Tampa Bay (2.0IP)...Career-high 4K on Sept. 2 at Seattle...Had four
2.0IP outings in 2010...ERA from August 31st thru the end of the season was 1.46 (12.1IP, 7H, 2ER)...Was tied for 10th in
the American League with 70 appearances, tied for 5th in % of inherited runners that scored (20%, 9/45), T18th in holds
(15), T20th in relief innings (63.0IP), 16th in relief batting average allowed (.218) and 20th in average against with RISP
(.167, 12-for-72)...Batters hit .248 (26-105) off him with runners on, .218 overall (48-220), .212 (21-99) by LHH (7HR).
2009
Tony spent three stints with the Indians and was one of the most effective relievers for the club over the last
two and a half months of the season...Was with the club from April 22-May 17, June 1-9 and June 23 thru the
remainder of the season after beginning the season at AAA Columbus.
u Overall at Columbus he was 1-0 with a save and a 3.71ERA in 12 games for the Clippers (17.0IP, 17H, 7ER, 6BB,
22K, .254AVG)...At Triple A, left-handed batters are 2 for 19 (.105) off him as he has averaged 11.6 strikeouts
per 9.0IP for the Clippers...
u Made his Major League debut on April 22 vs. Kansas City (1.0IP, 1K)..Over his first 9 appearances he was 0-0
w/a 4.26 ERA in 9 games (6.1IP, 4H, 3R/ER, 8BB, 9K) before his option of May 17...Made one appearance with
Indians over his second stint at Minnesota on June 2 (career-high 2.1IP, 0H, 0R) before being sent out again
on June 9...Was with the club from June 23rd-on and went 2-0 w/a 2.88 ERA in 36 games (31.1IP, 23H, 10ER,
15BB, 38K, .205 AVG).
From August 1st thru the end of the season his ERA was 1.14 in 25 games (23.2IP, 15H, 3ER, 9 BB, 29K, .185
AVG)...Did not allow a run over 11 games from August 16-Sept. 11 (11.1IP, 7H, 0R, 2BB, 17K)...ERA from
8/16-on was 1.02 (17.2IP, 13H, 2ER)...Notched his first Major League win on July 9 at Chicago-AL (0.2IP, BB,
K)...35 of his 46 outings were scoreless... 8th among AL rookies with 46 appearances...Was 13th among AL
relievers in average vs. RISP (.152) and 5th in inherited runners scoring % of 19%...Batters hit .164 (11-67) off
him with runners on base... Left-handed batters had a .685 OPS off him (.208avg/.296OB/.389SLG) and RHH
.677 (.179avg/.333OB/.343SLG)...Fanned 10.8 batters per 9.0IP...Overall MLB hitters batted .194 (27-139) off
him.
2008
Season did not start until June 20 as he rehabbed in extended spring training from reconstructive left elbow
surgery the previous July...Made 3 appearances in the Gulf Coast League starting on June 20 and was elevated
to A Kinston on June 30, where he made 5 appearances and allowed just 4 hits and 1ER (10K, 1.13ERA,
.148AVG)...Promoted to AA Akron on July 17 and spent the remainder of the regular season and playoffs with the
Aeros...Made 16 relief appearances in the regular season and limited AA batters to a .235 (19-81) average
against...Over his last 11 appearances he was 0-0-1 w/a 0.56ERA (16.0IP, 8H, 2R/1ER, 3BB, 26K)...Went 0-0
w/a save and a 2.08ERA in 4 playoff outings for Akron (4.1IP, 5H, 1ER, 5K)...Limited LHH to a .182 (4-22, 0HR)
average against (.217OB/.227SLG) as batters were 6 for 27 (.222) with runners on base and 3 for 18 w/RISP
(.167).
2007
Suffered a strained ligament in his left throwing elbow in spring training and did not pitch the entire season after first rehabbing and then undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left elbow on 7/10 in Birmingham, AL by Dr. James Andrews...Added to the 40-man roster on 11/19.
2006
Pitched well again in just his 2nd full professional season despite two stints on the disabled list that limited
him to 29 games and 60.1 innings...Made 4 starts in April to open the season, going 2-0 w/a 2.14 ERA (21.0IP,
15H, 5ER, 31K) before being sidelined with a strained right oblique muscle from April 25-May 21...Fanned 10
in 5.0 innings on April 24 at Binghamton...Upon his activation he spent the remainder of the season in relief...Made just one appearance on May 22 before going on the DL again with a left elbow strain from May 23-June
24...Made just 1 appearance (1.0IP) from April 25-June 24...Spent the remainder of the season on the active
roster from June 25-Sept. 3...From August 1 thru the end of the season he went 1-1 w/2 saves and a 2.60 ERA
in 13 outings (17.1IP, 10H, 5ER, 21K)...Went 1-0 w/2 saves and a 2.16 ERA in 6 Eastern League playoff games (8.1IP, 5H, 2ER, 3BB, 16K) and averaged
14.4 SO per 9.0IP in the post-season...During the regular season Double A hitters hit .201 (44-219, 2HR) off
him as he averaged 11.9 SO per 9.0IP...RHH hit .191 (30-157, 1HR) and LHH hit .226 (14-62, 1HR)...Batters hit
.204 (11-54) with RISP...Pitched for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League after the season (10G, 0-0, 1SV, 10.1IP,
4H, 5ER, 9BB, 16K) as 7 of his 10 outings were scoreless.
2005
Opened his first full professional season at A Lake County of the South Atlantic League and did not allow a run over
his first 4 outings covering 17.0IP...Allowed first run in 4th start/5th game as he concluded his scoreless IP streak
to start the season at 22.0IP...Won his first 2 starts and last 2 decisions w/the Captains and received 7 no decisions
and a loss from April 25-June 1 (41.2IP, 11ER) despite posting an ERA of 2.38...Tossed 7.0IP w/out allowing a hit
in start of May 16 at Hickory (7.0IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 7K)...
Limited SAL hitters to a .196 (47-240) average against w/5HR as lefties hit .189 (7-37) and RH hitters hit .197 (40-
203)...Batters hit .170 (9-53) off him with RISP and .091 (2-22) with RISP-2outs and .160 (15-94) with runners
on...Promoted to Kinston on June 20 and spent remainder of season with the K-Tribe...At the time of his promotion
to Kinston his ERA and SO ranked 6th in the SAL...
Made 5 starts with Kinston, June 22-July 15, posting an ERA of 4.05 (20.0IP, 19H, 9ER, 26K) before making his
last 17 appearances in relief, posting a record of 1-1 w/2 saves and a 1.65 ERA (27.1IP, 15H, 5ER, 11BB, 33K)
and limiting batters to a .169 (15-89) average against...While at Kinston lefties hit .140 (8-57) off him and .205
(34-166) overall...Did not allow a run while recording 2 saves in 4 Carolina League playoff appearances (4.1IP, 2H,
0R, 1BB, 4K)...
Combined on the year his ERA was 2.40 (116.1IP, 81H, 31ER, 130K, .200 avg)...His 2.40 combined ERA ranked
4th among organizational pitchers and his 130K ranked 2nd despite making his last 17 appearances in relief.
2004
Struck out 8 or more batters in 6 of his 10 starts, including a season-high 10K on 8/28 at Jamestown in
5.0IP...Struck out 9 in just 4.0IP on 8/22 vs. Jamestown...His 74K ranked 6th in the NYPL and averaged 15.6SO
per 9.0IP...Limited NYPL hitters to a .212 (33-156) average against w/5HR allowed.
