The Houston Astros added infield depth over the weekend when the franchise traded for Miami Marlins infielder Jacob Amaya. Houston acquired Amaya in exchange for cash considerations and minor league pitcher Valente Bellozo.
The Astros transferred pitcher Bennett Sousa to the 60-day IL to make room for Amaya on the 40-man roster. Houston’s General Manager Dana Brown then announced that Amaya had been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land.
The 25-year-old Amaya had appeared in three games with Triple-A Jacksonville this season but did make his Major League Baseball debut with the Marlins in 2023 appearing in four games.
Amaya spent the majority of 2023 playing for Triple-A Jacksonville, batting .252 with 26 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, 65 RBI, and a .752 OPS in 128 games. He was originally selected in the 11th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bellozo made 26 appearances (16 starts) between High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi in 2023. He recorded a 5.55 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP and a .266 opponent batting average last season.
Sousa underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome on Wednesday and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
Houston returns to action on Monday as they wrap up a four-game series at Texas. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. and you can listen to the game live on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.