Luis

Contreras

Contreras will enter Athletics camp vying for a spot in their bullpen after making 14 relief appearances for the Astros over the past two seasons, finishing with a lackluster 7.50 ERA (4.15 FIP) and 19/10 K/BB ratio across 18 innings. The 29-year-old righty has a lengthy track record of missing bats in the upper minors and represents a low-risk lottery ticket.

Contreras predictably passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week. The 29-year-old reliever posted a bloated 6.75 ERA across 12 innings (nine appearances) this season at the big-league level.

Contreras, 29, is booted off the 40-man roster to make room for Enyel De Los Santos. The right-hander will hit the waiver wire, and if he goes unclaimed he can report back to Triple-A or test free agency. The former seems far more likely.

Contreras heads back to the minors after spending the last week up with the Astros as middle relief depth. The 29-year-old righty holds a strong 6.75 ERA across 12 innings (nine appearances) in the big leagues this season.

Contreras rejoins Houston’s overworked relief mix ahead of Saturday’s game against the Athletics. The 29-year-old righty was demoted back in mid-April after posting a lackluster 9.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 10/6 K/BB ratio across nine innings (seven appearances) to open the year.

Contreras has struggled to a bloated 9.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 10/6 K/BB ratio across nine innings (seven appearances) this season. He’ll head back to the minors to allow Houston to bring up a fresh relief arm ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Cardinals.

Contreras returns to Houston’s relief mix with Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) officially hitting the injured list. The 28-year-old righty figures to stick in Houston’s relief mix as middle relief depth for now.

With Spencer Arrighetti needing to go on the IL with a broken thumb, the Astros will call up Contreras, who has allowed five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this season. The 28-year-old is on the 40-man roster and has three minor league options remaining, so he can easily be sent back to Triple-A when the Astros need a starter to take Arrighetti’s place in the rotation. Contreras could also remain up if the Astros decide to stretch long reliever Ryan Gusto out to be the fifth starter until Lance McCullers comes off the injured list.

Contreras has struggled in four relief outings this season and will head to the minors to allow the Astros to bring up a fresh arm for Monday’s series opener against the Mariners.

The 26-year-old hurler has made four appearances at the Triple-A level this season, posting a 4.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and a 7/2 K/BB ratio over four innings. It will be the first trip to the big leagues for him. Luis Contreras is expected to be optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move to free up a spot on the active roster.