Nelson

Velázquez

The team says Velázquez is on his way to play in Asia next season. One imagines those foreign player spots in Japan and Korea will be filled pretty quickly this winter, as fringy major leaguers weigh the guaranteed paycheck versus the possibility of a lengthy lockout. The 27-year-old Velázquez hit .188/.257/.406 with six homers in 113 plate appearances for the Cardinals and Astros this year. He’s a lifetime .208/.282/.429 hitter with 37 homers in 728 plate appearances since debuting with the Cubs in 2022.

Velázquez put Houston on the scoreboard with a pinch-hit blast against White Sox reliever Sean Newcomb that slashed their early deficit to three runs in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old corner outfielder has seen opportunities against lefties since being claimed off waivers back in early August.

Velázquez flew out against Sean Newcomb after hitting for Taylor Trammell in the sixth. He got another chance versus the lefty in the eighth and roped a 107-mph liner. Velázquez also homered in his last start Monday. He’s just 2-for-17 during his time with the Astros, but he’s managed five RBI. He’ll probably be back on the bench Thursday with the White Sox starting a righty.

Velázquez’ home run was his fifth of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Anthony Kay in the fourth inning. Velázquez should continue to see most of his at-bats come against left-handed pitching. He’s hitting .193 with a .664 OPS and 15 RBI in limited at-bats this year.

The first move of the Jim Crane era is in the books. Velázquez winds up back with the Astros on a new deal after being designated for assignment last week. He went 0-for-4 during a brief three-game stint after being claimed off waivers from the Cardinals earlier this month.

Velázquez rejected the assignment and became a free agent. He went 0-for-4 in three games for the Astros after previously hitting .216/.289/.432 in 83 plate appearances for the Cardinals this season.

The 27-year-old outfielder lasts just 10 days on the Astros’ roster, going 0-for-4 in five plate appearances over three games that he appeared in. It seems likely that
Velázquez will once again attract interest on waivers from teams looking for right-handed thump off of the bench. Raynel Delgado was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move on Thursday.

The Astros need a right-handed power bat, and Velázquez is that. The 27-year-old hit just .216/.289/.432 with four homers and 12 RBI in 83 plate appearances over 34 games for the Cardinals this season. However, he could add some thump off the bench if the Astros choose to use him in that role.

Velázquez cedes his spot on St. Louis’ roster to recent waiver wire acquisition Everson Pereira prior to Saturday’s game against the Rockies. The 27-year-old outfielder hit just .216/.289/.432 with four homers and 12 RBI in 83 plate appearances over 34 games for the Cardinals this season.

Walker has hit a bit of a rough patch at the plate since his iconic performance during the All-Star Home Run Derby last month, hitting .240 (18-for-75) with zero homers in 18 games since the Midsummer Classic. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. There should be additional clarity on his status following the contest. It’ll be Nelson Velázquez taking over in right field at Yankee Stadium in his place.