Astros claim 17 home run outfielder from Cardinals after trade deadline

The Houston Astros have added a right-handed power bat via the waiver wire. The Astros were looking for a right-handed swinger to complement their left-handers in the outfield, and they found a four-year veteran from the St. Louis Cardinals. Astros outfielders Daulton Varsho, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Taylor Trammell all hit from the left side. On Monday, the AL West club announced that they had claimed Nelson Velazquez off waivers from the Cardinals. In a corresponding move, infielder/outfielder Shay Whitcomb was designated for assignment. Velazquez is not a strong defender in left or right field. But he does have some pop in his bat. In 2023, the 27-year-old hit 17 home runs across 53 combined games with the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. MORE: Dave Dombrowski reveals why Phillies didn