Houston Astros Sign 4-Year MLB Player Before Yankees Series

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 07: Manager Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros reacts before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Nelson Velazquez #30 of the Houston Astros hits an RBI sacrifice fly ball in the top of the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 12, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 10: Nelson Velázquez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 10, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 6: Nelson Velázquez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Busch Stadium on July 6, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) Getty

The Houston Astros are set to begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees at 6:05 p.m. CDT on Monday.

Before Monday’s game, the Astros reportedly signed a four-year MLB player to a big-league contract.

Houston Astros Sign 4-Year MLB Player Nelson Velázquez Before Yankees Series

GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 12: Nelson Velazquez #30 of the Houston Astros hits an RBI sacrifice fly ball in the top of the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 12, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome: The Astros signed Nelson Velázquez to a major-league deal and optioned Ray Delgado to make room on the 26-man roster.

The Astros signed Nelson Velázquez to a major-league deal and optioned Ray Delgado to make room on the 26-man roster.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 24, 2026

The Astros claimed Velázquez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 10.

Houston designated him for assignment last Thursday. In three games with Houston, Velázquez went 0-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout.

GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 10: Nelson Velázquez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 10, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

Velázquez cleared waivers and elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Now, he is back with the Astros organization.

More About Astros’ Nelson Velázquez

GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JULY 6: Nelson Velázquez #38 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Busch Stadium on July 6, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Velázquez made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2022.

In 77 games with the Cubs in 2022, Velázquez hit .205/.286/.373 with six home runs, seven doubles, three triples and 26 RBI.

After just 13 games with the Cubs in 2023, Velázquez was traded to the Kansas City Royals.

In 53 games between the Cubs and Royals in 2023, Velázquez hit .235/.302/.586 with 17 home runs and 34 RBI.

Velázquez posted a lowly .640 OPS with the Royals in 2024.

The Royals released Velázquez early in the 2025 season.

Velázquez signed with the Pirates in Sept. 2025. He didn’t return to the majors until he played with the Cardinals this season.

He posted a .721 OPS over 34 games with the Cardinals this year before joining the Astros.

 

 

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