Jose

Valdez

Valdez was outrighted off the Astros’ 40-man roster last week. The 28-year-old right-hander posted a 9.00 ERA and 15/7 K/BB ratio in 14 big league innings this year.

The 29-year-old right-hander struggled at Triple-A this season, posting an 0-5 record, 4.95 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 59/12 K/BB ratio over 43 2/3 innings. He’ll serve as additional bullpen depth down the stretch.

He also gets a spring training invite. Valdez, 29, made 13 relief appearances with the Astros this season and compiled a 4.95 ERA and 59/12 K/BB ratio over 43 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level. He’s likely to function as organizational depth in 2013.

Valdez fared well in his brief stint with the Astros this season, but he’ll turn 30 in January and has very little major league experience. He’ll now search for another organization.

He can declare free agency. Valdez, 28, had two brief stints with the big club during the 2011 season, posting a 9.00 ERA and 15/7 K/BB ratio over 14 innings.

Valdez posted a 9.00 ERA and 15/7 K/BB ratio in 14 major league innings this season. He’ll be looking to claim a spot in the 2012 Opening Day bullpen next spring.

Valdez spent all of last season at Triple-A with the Astros, posting a 5.72 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 39 1/3 frames. The 31-year-old will provide minor league depth.

He was also added to Houston’s 40-man roster. Valdez, 26, was 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 43 relief appearances between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre in the Yankees organization in 2009. Though he has pitched in the minor leagues for parts of seven seasons, 2009 was his first at the Triple-A level.

Valdez posted a 1.46 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in 12 1/3 innings of relief this year at the Double-A level. The 27-year-old has struggled with injuries for much of his career but should open the 2011 season at Triple-A.

Valdez was called up in mid-April to serve as a replacement for the injured Wilton Lopez. Now that Lopez is back to full health, Valdez is no longer needed. He posted a 9.00 ERA over five relief appearances.