The Astros will designate pitcher Lucas Harrell for assignment, reports Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). With Scott Feldman set to return from bereavement leave on Thursday, Houston apparently decided to remove the out-of-options righty from the active roster.
It has been quite a fall from grace for the 28-year-old, who this time last year was being named as a solid trade target for contenders. Indeed, in 2012, he threw to a 3.76 ERA in 193 2/3 innings, with a 57.2% ground ball rate and 6.5 K/9 against 3.6 BB/9. But last year was a struggle, as Harrell managed only a 5.86 ERA in 153 2/3 innings, and both struck out and walked 5.2 batters per nine. He has had a rough start to the current season as well.
With less than three years of service on his clock, Harrell will come with future control, which is certainly attractive. One major issue, however, is the fact that he is out of options, meaning that any club that trades for or claims him would need to let him work out his issues at the MLB level.
Astros actually don’t need to create room on the 40-man roster for Springer; only 39 players on it now. But they need to be at 40 players on the roster in order to DFA Harrell. They’ve already optioned Grossman to AAA to make room on the 25-man roster. They’ll bring up Springer and then DFA Harrell to make room for someone else.
No need mostly likely Paul Clemens is staying in the bigs
Yup Clemens will stay put and Feldman comes off Bereavement on Thursday. Either Clemens or Peacock will take the rotation spot (Hoping Peacock gets another shot)
Thanks for pointing that out. I assumed they were connected.
No prob. They are connected, sort of. MLB teams are not allowed to DFA a player unless the 40-man roster is full. It’s why the A’s had to purchase Hiroyuki Nakajima’s contract and option him to the minors in March in order to DFA Michael Taylor; the A’s shortly outrighted Nakajima back to AAA a few days later.
tmengd is probably correct in that after Springer is officially added to the 40-man roster tomorrow and the roster is full, they’ll activate Feldman and then DFA Harrell to make room. Then the move is “legal.”
Right, I meant directly connected (need for 40-man spot). Long evening …
Kind of a useless rule really. Guess the MLBPA doesn’t want any more cases of a Mike Andrews released during the middle of a WS at the drop of a hat is the reason, Ala Charlie Finley.
Still, if someone has no buisness being on a MLB 40 man roster, there should be no obstruction to releasing/DFA’ing them.
Harrell: It’s about time.
Springer: It’s about time.
If I’m basically any team in the sport, I’m claiming this guy and then immediately DFA’ing him again to try and get him into my system.
I wonder if the Royals couldn’t use him in their bullpen until he gets things under control. Could be a good long relief option in order to send Duffy back to AAA to start.