Freudis

Nova

The Astros needed to make room on their 40-man roster to protect some of their highly-regarded prospects ahead of next month’s Rule 5 Draft, so Nova has been jettisoned to the minors. The 21-year-old is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2022 campaign after tearing the ACL in his left knee back in September.

The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Nova evidently must have suffered the injury earlier this month while playing at High-A Asheville.

The slick-fielding 20-year-old infielder hit .259/.301/.369 with three homers, 29 RBI and 10 stolen bases (17 attempts) in 75 games at Class-A Quad Cities in 2019. Nova is considered to have among the highest ceilings of any prospects in the Astros’ system. He should open the 2021 season at Double-A.