Hector

Velazquez

This is likely released to an opt-out or another opportunity, as Velázquez was pitching well for Triple-A Sugar Land with a 1.46 ERA and 22/8 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings.

No big surprises among this batch of cuts for the Astros. Velazquez, 32, hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2019, but did a nice job for the Astros in Grapefruit League play, registering a 2.70 ERA and 5/3 K/BB ratio across 3 1/3 innings. He should get a chance to pitch out of the Astros bullpen at some point during the 2021 campaign.

It was reported Thursday that Luis Garcia, Bryan Abreu, and Ronel Blanco were away, and now Cristian Javier, Pedro Báez, Enoli Paredes, Francis Martes and Hector Velazquez have joined them. Paredes and Martes pitched in the Astros’ game Thursday against the Cardinals. Baker isn’t allowed to say it directly, but this would appear to be a COVID-19 contact tracing situation. Astros general manager James Click said Friday that there hasn’t been any thought of shutting down camp.

The trade went down way back on July 29 and is finally close to a resolution. The Orioles claimed Velaquez off waivers from the Red Sox in March, but he never appeared in a game for the club, so they’ll be happy to get whatever they can for him. The 31-year-old holds a 3.90 ERA over 89 appearances (including 19 starts) in the majors, all with the Red Sox.

Velazquez was outrighted off the Orioles’ 40-man roster last week and has now found a new home in Houston. The 31-year-old right-hander struggled to a 5.43 ERA in 34 appearances at the major league level last season, but the Astros’ pitching staff has been ravaged by injuries through the first week of the 2020 campaign. For now, Velazquez will report to the team’s alternate training site in Corpus Christi.

Velaquez cleared waivers after being designated for assignment. He’ll remain in the organization for now.

He’s just being shifted from the main training site to the alternate training site. Velazquez was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox back in March and offers some depth either as a starter or reliever. Chances are he’ll pitch with the big club if the season goes off as planned.

The Orioles need warm bodies for their pitching staff and Velazquez is capable of pitching either as a starter or reliever. Most likely, he’ll wind up doing both for the AL East bottom dwellers, but they’re expected to use him in long relief initially.

This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Collin McHugh, who officially signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox on Thursday morning. Velazquez, 31, registered a 5.43 ERA in 56 1/3 innings last year with Boston.

Velazquez had a 3.12 ERA in 109 2/3 innings for the Red Sox between 2017 and 2018, but he’s come in at 5.81 in 48 innings this year. He’ll pitch in middle relief for now, though he could make a start or two if necessary.