Astros Release OF Nelson Velázquez to Pursue Opportunity in Asia

The Astros have released outfielder Nelson Velázquez so he can pursue an opportunity with a club in Asia, the team announced Tuesday.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic posted the news on X at 11:39 AM CT, writing that Houston "released Nelson Velázquez so he could pursue an opportunity with a club in Asia." MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reported the same shortly beforehand. MLB Trade Rumors and NBC Sports also relayed the move.

Velázquez is 27. Houston claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 10. As an Astro he went 3-for-27 with 13 strikeouts and two home runs, was designated for assignment after about a week and a half on the roster, cleared waivers and elected free agency, then re-signed with Houston on a minor league deal, per MLB Trade Rumors.

Across St. Louis and Houston in 2026, he hit .188/.257/.406 with six home runs in 113 plate appearances. For his career, he has 37 home runs in 728 major league plate appearances, per Baseball Reference.

Velázquez was on a minor league contract at the time of his release and was not occupying a spot on Houston's 40-man roster.

Around the MLB

• Nationals expected to hire David Besky as pitching strategist. MLB Trade Rumors reported the move Tuesday, citing Kyle Williams of the Baltimore Banner. Besky most recently was the Red Sox' director of baseball sciences after three seasons in Boston; he previously spent three years as a data scientist at Driveline Baseball. The Athletic's Spencer Nusbaum added that his duties will include pitch calling and arsenal analysis. Washington did not have a pitching strategist title last season after promoting Sean Doolittle, who held the role in 2024 and 2025, to assistant pitching coach.

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