The Astros have launched first baseman José Abreu from their Main League roster, per a staff announcement on Friday.
Abreu, 37, was within the second 12 months of a three-year, $58.5 million contract with Houston; the staff nonetheless owes greater than half of the cash on the deal. He struggled on the plate over 176 video games for the Astros, hitting .217 with 20 homers and a .625 OPS.
Abreu agreed to be optioned to the Minor Leagues in late Might following a woeful begin wherein he slashed .099/.156/.113 in 22 video games. He reported to the staff’s facility in West Palm Seashore, Fla., and labored out for a few weeks earlier than getting at-bats within the Florida Complicated League and enjoying in two video games at Triple-A Sugar Land.
The Astros had been hopeful the changes Abreu made together with his swing would flip his season round, however it didn’t occur. He slashed .167/.186/.333 with two residence runs in 13 video games after rejoining the Astros on Might 27. Abreu was 0-for-7 in two video games towards the Giants final weekend, and with the Astros slipping within the AL West standings, they couldn’t afford to maintain enjoying him.
Abreu joined Houston in free company in November 2022 following a adorned run with the White Sox, throughout which he earned three All-Star picks and was named American League Rookie of the 12 months (2014) and Most Invaluable Participant (2020).
Chicago initially signed the slugger to a six-year, $68 million deal as a global free agent after he defected from his native Cuba in 2013.
Abreu made an instantaneous influence for the White Sox upon his arrival within the Majors in 2014 as a rookie, hitting .317 with 36 homers, 107 RBIs and a .964 OPS.
Abreu hit .317 with 19 residence runs, a Main League-leading 60 RBIs and a .987 OPS over 60 video games in his MVP season in 2020.
All instructed, Abreu reached the 30-homer plateau 5 occasions and produced 100-plus RBIs six occasions throughout his tenure with Chicago, slashing .292/.354/.506 over 1,270 video games with the staff. Nevertheless, he was unable to take care of his efficiency after becoming a member of the Astros, tumbling to a .680 OPS in 2023 after which a .361 mark in ’24.