The Houston Astros have outrighted right-hander J.P. France to Triple-A Sugar Land. The move comes after France cleared waivers following his designation for assignment last week. The 28-year-old now has the option to elect free agency, though the club has not yet announced his decision.
France has been a part of the Astros organization since being drafted in 2017. His best season came in 2023 when he made 29 appearances, pitching 136 1/3 innings with a 3.83 ERA. However, advanced metrics tell a less favorable story: a 4.66 FIP and a 4.96 SIERA suggest his strong ERA was somewhat inflated. His 17.4% strikeout rate was below league average, and his 76.7% strand rate was unusually high.
Injuries have limited France's effectiveness since then. Shoulder issues forced him to undergo surgery in 2024, and he made just seven major league appearances over the past two seasons with a 6.75 ERA. The Astros selected him back to the 40-man roster earlier this month, but now they are moving on from him for the second time.
This is France’s second outright assignment. In February 2024, he had to accept the first outright because it was his first such assignment. Now, with free agency an option, he could seek a minor league deal elsewhere. However, the fact that no club claimed him on waivers suggests he may struggle to find a major league home.
The Astros have a crowded and injury-riddled pitching situation. Their injured list includes starters Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Cody Bolton, Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski, and Brandon Walter. The current rotation features Mike Burrows, Spencer Arrighetti, Ryan Weiss, Peter Lambert, and Lance McCullers Jr. Colton Gordon is also on the roster and could take on more innings.
With depth in question, the Astros could bring France back if needed. Other non-roster options include Brandon Bielak and Miguel Yajure, who were recently added via minor league deals. France would join them if he accepts the outright assignment.
France’s decision is expected soon. If he chooses free agency, he may look for a fresh start with another organization. If he stays with the Astros, he could remain in the minors as a potential call-up option. The Astros will continue to monitor their pitching situation closely as the season progresses.
Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed on Monday that right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta has been diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his throwing shoulder. The injury will keep Uceta sidelined for another 2-3 weeks, pushing back his return to the first half of May and nearly eliminating the chance h
4 hours ago
The Arizona Diamondbacks have outrighted first baseman Luken Baker to Triple-A Reno, according to the MLB.com transaction log. The move came after the team designated him for assignment to make room for Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s return from the injured list.
4 hours ago
The Golden State Warriors engaged in trade discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers for both Ivica Zubac and Kawhi Leonard earlier this offseason. While those talks did not result in a deal, they reveal the Warriors’ ongoing pursuit of strategic roster changes as they navigate the post-Stephen Curr
4 hours ago
The Edmonton Oilers entered Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks with full strength after activating star forward Leon Draisaitl from long-term injured reserve. Draisaitl, who missed the final 14 games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, was officially announ
8 hours ago