Jordan

Weems

DePaula is a top-20 prospect in dynasty formats and ranks alongside fellow outfielders Eduardo Quintero, Zyhir Hope and Mike Sirota at the top of Los Angeles’ farm system. The 20-year-old phenom has a chance to make his big-league debut later this season after hitting .250/.391/.400 with 12 homers and 32 steals in 445 plate appearances between Double-A Tulsa and High-A Great Lakes last year. It’s a tough break for Ward, who has been marooned at the Triple-A level for several years now and seemingly has nothing left to prove in the Pacific Coast League. He’ll have to wait a bit longer for his chance.

Weems, 33, has pitched 160 major league innings since debuting in 2020, amassing a 5.51 ERA with a 161/80 K/BB. He gave up seven earned runs and failed to strike out a batter in 4 1/3 innings for Houston last year.

McKenzie headlines a group of 19 players who elected minor league free agency earlier this week, including catcher Matt Thaiss; infielders Scott Kingery, Keston Hiura, Sergio Alcántara, Terrin Vavra and Vimael Machín; outfielders Jose Siri, Connor Joe and Jordyn Adams; and relievers Noah Davis, Scott Blewett, Brooks Kriske, Kevin Herget, Cionel Pérez, Darren McCaughan, Richard Lovelady, José Ruiz and Jordan Weems.

Weems went unclaimed on waivers and will likely wind up electing free agency. The well-traveled 32-year-old reliever coughed up seven runs over 4 1/3 innings (four appearances) during a brief stint with the Astros.

Weems has been cast off from Houston’s bullpen mix after surrendering seven runs over 4 1/3 innings (four appearances) in middle relief.

Weems is up to give the Astros some depth in their bullpen after the 14-1 shellacking by the Red Sox on Tuesday. He likely will just be a low-leverage option in this stint with Houston.

Weems made two relief appearances for the Astros earlier this month before being designated for assignment and electing free agency. The 32-year-old righty is officially back with Houston as extra organizational depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.

He’s declined the assignment and become a free agent. Weems allowed two runs in three innings for the Astros before being DFA’d last week.

The 32-year-old hurler got into just two games during his time with the Astros, posting a 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP with a 0/0 K/BB ratio over his three innings of work. It seems likely that he’ll either get claimed on waivers or elect free agency and find another opportunity that fits his liking.

Weems receives the call to join Houston’s relief corps ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Phillies with Shawn Dubin hitting the injured list with a forearm strain. The well-traveled 32-year-old righty latched on with the Astros earlier this month on a minor league deal shortly after being released by Atlanta. He’ll most likely operate in middle relief.