Astros Release Outfielder Nelson Velázquez, Who Plans to Pursue Opportunities in Asia

The Houston Astros have moved on from outfielder Nelson Velázquez, MLB Trade Rumors reported on Tuesday, relaying Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The 27-year-old plans to pursue opportunities in Asia. Velázquez opened the 2026 season in the St. Louis Cardinals' system, had his contract selected in late May and compiled a .722 OPS across 34 games in St. Louis - solid power, but with strikeouts in more than 30 percent of his plate appearances.

Houston's chapter was brief. The Cardinals designated Velázquez for assignment in early August and the Astros added him on a waiver claim. He went 3-for-27 with 13 strikeouts in his short time as an Astro - and two of his three hits were home runs, the whole Velázquez profile in one line. Houston designated him for assignment after about a week and a half on the roster; he cleared waivers, elected free agency, then re-signed with the organization on a minor league deal before Tuesday's release.

The career numbers explain both the chances he kept getting and the ones that ran out. Velázquez has 37 home runs and a .221 isolated power mark in 728 major league plate appearances, but a career 29.5 percent strikeout rate backed by a 16.1 percent swinging-strike rate, and he posted minus-4 Defensive Runs Saved in 151 1/3 innings in the outfield this past season. The reports of his release mentioned no specific intentions, though there is a good chance he already has his next team lined up overseas, where consistent playing time is the draw.