The Houston Astros claimed outfielder Nelson Velázquez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, adding a right-handed bat to help balance a lineup that has struggled for production against left-handed pitching.
Velázquez, 27, owns a career .212/.287/.433 slash line with 39 home runs across 228 major league games with the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and Cardinals. He has posted a .739 OPS against left-handed pitching over his career, an area the Astros have been looking to improve.
General manager Dana Brown acknowledged Sunday that Houston was pursuing another right-handed bat after recalling Jake Meyers from Triple-A Sugar Land last week. Manager Joe Espada said Meyers’ return was also intended to bolster the club’s production against left-handed pitching.
With Daulton Varsho, Taylor Trammell, and LaMonte Wade Jr. all batting left-handed, the Astros have been seeking another right-handed bat to balance their lineup. Entering Monday, Astros right-handed hitting outfielders had combined for a .654 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, according to FanGraphs.
Velázquez made his major league debut with the Cubs in 2022 and enjoyed his best season in 2023, hitting 17 home runs with an .888 OPS in 53 games split between Chicago and Kansas City. He did not appear in the majors in 2025 but returned this season with St. Louis, posting a .722 OPS in 34 games before being designated for assignment over the weekend.
Because Velázquez is out of minor league options, the Astros cannot send him to Triple-A without first designating him for assignment.
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Astros designated infielder Shay Whitcomb for assignment. Whitcomb appeared in 57 games with Houston over the past three seasons while hitting nine home runs with a .758 OPS in 73 games for Triple-A Sugar Land this season.
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