The Houston Astros have bolstered their minor-league pitching depth.
Houston acquired Spenser Watkins from Baltimore on Friday for cash considerations while also bringing Bligh Madris up to the Major League roster. To make room for both players to be placed on the 40-man roster, Michael Brantley and Jose Urquidy were retroactively placed on the 60-day IL.
Watkins, 30, has multiple years of Major League experience with Baltimore, appearing mostly as a starter for the Orioles. In 39 appearances, he went 5-6 with a 4.70 ERA, including a career-high 20 starts for Baltimore last season. Watkins has spent all of 2023 with the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles’ AAA organization. He appeared in eight games before being designated for assignment on June 20. He was selected in the 30th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers.
Madris, 27, has spent all of 2023 with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Astros’ AAA team. He had a .249 batting average with 10 home runs, 36 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and an OPS of .809 in 60 games. Nine of his 10 homers this season have come off right-handed itching, where he has a slash line of .272/.389/.538.