Sipp allowed a hit and struck out a batter during a scoreless inning of relief Tuesday against Oakland to pick up his fifth hold of the season.

Sipp recorded two quick outs to open the seventh inning before permitting a single to Billy Burns, who he picked off at first base to end the frame. The veteran left-hander has a 0.55 ERA, .161 BAA and 16:3 K:BB ratio over 16.1 innings this season.

Sipp earned his second victory of the season in relief on Sunday, striking out a batter over 1.2 perfect innings against Oakland.

Sipp (2-0) breezed through the heart of the A's lineup across his 1.2 innings Sunday, tossing 15 of his 19 pitches for strikes. Through eight relief appearances with the Astros this season, the veteran reliever has a 0.96 ERA, 0.764 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings.

Sipp pitched a scoreless inning Sunday against the Angels to earn his third hold of the season.

The veteran southpaw allowed a leadoff single to Erick Aybar, who quickly advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Sipp worked around it though, striking out C.J. Cron before getting Collin Cowgill to pop out and Johnny Giavotella to ground out to end the inning. Through five relief appearances with the Astros, Sipp has a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 6:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings.

Sipp struck out two during a scoreless inning of relief Monday against the Indians to pick up his first hold of the season.

Sipp held left-handed hitters to a .138 average last year, and with Jose Ramirez (a switch-hitter), Michael Bourn and Jason Kipnis (both lefties) due up for Cleveland in the top of the eighth inning, Astros manager A.J. Hinch called on Sipp to play the matchups. The veteran reliever performed well against his former club and figures to be called upon in similar situations this season.

Sipp and the Astros avoided arbitration with a one-year, $2.4 million contract, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

While he had a very strong 2014 (3.38 ERA, 50.2 innings, .888 WHIP) Sipp is still only one part of a very strong Astros bullpen that now includes Chad Qualls, Luke Gregerson, and Pat Neshek. Sipp is a good relief pitcher, but it's going to take great numbers to even move into a set-up role with Houston.

Sipp tossed a scoreless ninth inning against the Mariners on Wednesday to earn his fourth save of the season.

Sipp gave up an infield single to Robinson Cano with one out but then retired Kendrys Morales and Kyle Seager to nail down the win for Houston. The 31-year-old lefty has now recorded saves in three of his last five appearances, and with regular closer Chad Qualls battling a nagging hip injury, Sipp could see additional opportunities depending on the matchups.

Sipp earned his second save of the season Thursday, striking out two in a perfect frame against the Rangers.

Astros closer Chad Qualls was unavailable Thursday after pitching the previous two nights, so Sipp was called upon to preserve the 4-2 victory. The 31-year-old southpaw has been one of the most reliable members of the Houston bullpen this season, compiling a 3.21 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 51:14 K:BB over 42 innings.

Sipp posted a 4.50 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Astros in July.

Once considered a hot trade-chip, Sipp cooled off a bit in July, but still struck out 14 (while walking six) over 10 innings during the month. The veteran left-hander is tied with Darin Downs for the Astros' lead with nine holds.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Tony Sipp has "drawn the most interest of any Astros player."

Sipp was scooped up by the Astros in May after opting out of a minor league deal with the Padres and has gone on to post a 2.45 ERA and terrific 41/7 K/BB ratio over 29 1/3 relief innings. Heyman lists the Angels, Braves and Orioles as possible fits for Sipp.

Astros signed LHP Tony Sipp to a one-year contract.

Sipp opted out of his minor league deal with the Padres on Thursday and quickly landed with a new team. The 30-year-old southpaw had a 4.30 ERA in 14 2/3 innings this season with the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in El Paso, Texas and probably won't fare too well in Houston.

A source tells Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish that Tony Sipp won't opt out of his minor league contract with the Padres.

Sipp's option to opt out of the deal ends Wednesday, so it appears he'll head to Triple-A El Paso as assigned. His next opt-out opportunity is on June 1, but the left-hander could leave for a major league role before then. Sipp had a 1.86 ERA over 10 2/3 innings this spring.

Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that Tony Sipp is undecided on whether he'll opt out of his minor league contract with the Padres.

He can opt out on Wednesday after being reassigned to minor league camp Monday. Sipp impressed with a 1.86 ERA and 9/1 K/BB ratio over 10 2/3 innings this spring and would receive interest if he hits the open market. However, the Padres currently look set to go with one left-handed reliever on their Opening Day roster, so he might decide he'd be best off sticking around.

Tony Sipp continued his impressive Cactus League display, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless frames in Sunday's win over the Rangers.

The 29-year-old southpaw is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but has certainly earned a spot in the bullpen after posting a 1.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 9/1 K/BB ratio over 10 2/3 innings in the spring.

Padres signed LHP Tony Sipp to a minor league contract.

The 29-year-old gets an invitation to spring training and should have a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the Padres bullpen to begin the season.

Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres are closing in on a minor league deal with Tony Sipp.

The deal will include an invitation to Major League spring training. The 29-year-old southpaw struggled during the 2013 campaign but would have a decent shot to earn a spot in the Padres bullpen to start the season.

Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that "several teams are in on" Tony Sipp.

Cotillo adds that Sipp doesn't seem close to a decision, but it appears he'll have plenty of options. Sipp elected free agency last month after being designated for assignment by the D'Backs. The southpaw is coming off a career-worst 4.78 ERA in 2013, but he holds a 3.84 mark with 267 strikeouts over 258 frames in his career.

Tony Sipp has elected to become a free agent.

Sipp was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks last week and made it through waivers without drawing a claim. The 29-year-old lefty had a disappointing 4.78 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 37 2/3 innings this summer with Arizona. He may have to settle for a minor league deal on the open market this winter.

Diamondbacks designated LHP Tony Sipp for assignment.

The DFA clears a spot on the 40-man roster as teams shuffle their rosters in preparation for December's Rule 5 Draft. Sipp had a 4.78 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 37 2/3 innings this season with the club. The 29-year-old will almost certainly catch on with another club this winter.

Diamondbacks recalled LHP Tony Sipp from Triple-A Reno.

As anticipated, Sipp rejoins the D'Backs roster as soon as rosters expand for September. The 30-year-old southpaw posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 37/18 K/BB ratio over 32 2/3 innings this season.

Diamondbacks optioned LHP Tony Sipp to Triple-A Reno.

Sipp cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization. He has a 3.86 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 48 appearances this season and will provide relief depth in the minors.