The Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Ty Buttrey, as first reported by Sam Blum of the Athletic (Twitter link). He’ll get a non-roster look in big league camp this spring.
Buttrey has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons, all of which came as a member of the Angels. His best season came in 2019, when he provided the Halos 72 1/3 innings of 3.98 ERA ball with a 27.2% strikeout rate out of the bullpen. He had a rough go during the shortened 2020 campaign, though, striking out just 16.1% of batters faced en route to a 5.81 ERA through 26 1/3 innings.
While Buttrey could’ve still factored into the MLB bullpen the next season, he stepped away from the game just before Opening Day. Buttrey noted at the time he “couldn’t help but notice that (his) love and passion for this game had started to diminish.” He sat out the 2021 campaign but made a comeback effort last winter. The Halos welcomed him back onto the 40-man roster but kept him in Triple-A Salt Lake to start the season.
The 29-year-old struggled immensely through his first couple months with the Bees. After allowing nine runs through his first 12 1/3 frames, he was designated for assignment in June. Buttrey went unclaimed on waivers and closed out the year on an outright assignment to Salt Lake. He concluded the season with a 5.94 ERA through 36 1/3 frames, posting a below-average 17.9% strikeout percentage and a hefty 13.7% walk rate. Buttrey generated grounders on half the batted balls he allowed, but he’d need to improve upon the strikeout and walk numbers to earn a big league look.
Buttrey will try to demonstrate better form in camp with the Astros. He admitted at the time of his DFA last summer he “(had) work to do to get … back to peak form” in the wake of his season away. With another offseason of preparation, he’ll look to crack a role in a strong Houston bullpen. The Astros have a number of bullpen spots sewn up, with Ryan Pressly, Rafael Montero, Héctor Neris, Bryan Abreu, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton locked into roles if healthy. Seth Martinez figures to have the inside track at another job, while Houston could also look to integrate a left-hander into that righty-heavy mix. Buttrey joins southpaw Austin Davis as an experienced non-roster player who’ll get a look in Spring Training.
Congrats Ty!
Awesome, awesome guy. Had the pleasure of interviewing him several times and getting to know him pretty well.
Full of buttery goodness.
And high cholesterol
Remember used to touch 100 when finally converted to relief long time back. starting was just not his thing. Hope this time it works out for the kid.
He could help the Astros if they don’t have anyone else…
The Astros must have read this and the Astros signed TY Buttrey to a minor league contract…way to go Astros…
I don’t understand walking away from baseball.
Just put one foot in front of the other in the direction away from baseball… just like walking away from anything else
Just put one foot in front of the other in the opposite direction of baseball… just like walking away from anything else
Thanks fatboy. I was speaking more philosophically, but thanks.
Because he’s on the Astros now, he’ll probably breakout and become a dominant, back-end of the bullpen arm.
I guess you can survive high school with the name ‘Buttray’ if you’re a star athlete.
Damn hate to see him leave especially to the Astros!
No alleged BoSox fans wanna complain about DD emptying out the MiLB?
Wrong head of the FO. It’s only fashionable right now to criticize Chaim Bloom.
Needs to pair up in a pen with Ty Danish
They should always be paired in every deal going forward. We’ll call it the “Buttrey Danish Bundle”. Breakfast for everyone!
AAA depth. Bullpen is set already with exception of lefty
dont forget Enoli Parades. He is astros best young reliever.
Buttressed the bullpen with Buttrey.