Okert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Nov. 5. Okert appeared in 44 games for the Twins in 2024, putting up a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 35.1 innings -- his worst statistical season since 2017. The 33-year-old southpaw will have an opportunity to bounce back with the Astros organization, though he will likely need to redeem himself at Triple-A Sugar Land before getting a chance to pitch for Houston.
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Okert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Nov. 5. Okert appeared in 44 games for the Twins in 2024, putting up a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 35.1 innings -- his worst statistical season since 2017. The 33-year-old southpaw will have an opportunity to bounce back with the Astros organization, though he will likely need to redeem himself at Triple-A Sugar Land before getting a chance to pitch for Houston.
The Astros acquired Trammell from the Yankees on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Trammell was just added to the 40-man roster over the weekend to keep him from reaching minor-league free agency and now has been flipped to a new team. The 27-year-old has hit just .167/.270/.363 with a 37.1 percent strikeout rate over parts of four major-league seasons.
Dubon will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his left thumb, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Rome reveals that Dubon suffered the injury back on Sept. 6 but elected to delay surgery until the offseason. The rehab is expected to take 6-to-8 weeks, so the utility player should be ready to go for the start of spring training. Dubon is slated for salary arbitration for a third year this offseason after slashing .269/.296/.361 with four home runs and three stolen bases over 137 contests.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy (elbow) is projected to return in late July next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June, so a return in a little over a year would be aggressive. Of course, any timetable at this juncture of recovery is a rough approximation. Urquidy is arbitration-eligible for a final time this offseason and it would seem as though the Astros plan to tender him a contract.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Javier (elbow) is projected to return in late July of next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. It's an ambitious timeline considering Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Any projected timetable at this stage of rehab is approximate, but it does appear Brown expects Javier to have a good shot to contribute after the All-Star break next season.
Verlander said Wednesday that he planned to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card series roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.
Singleton is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Tigers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Lefty Tyler Holton is opening for the Tigers, with righty Reese Olson seen as likely to cover multiple innings in relief. Singleton could enter mid-game when a righty is in there, but the Astros will go with the switch-hitting Victor Caratini again at first base to begin the contest.
Meyers is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Meyers went hitless in two plate appearances in Game 1 before being removed for a pinch hitter. Chas McCormick is getting the start in center field and will bat ninth Wednesday.
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