Astros Reinstate, Option J.P. France

The Astros announced that right-hander J.P. France has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land. The 40-man roster had a vacancy from Tayler Scott being designated for assignment earlier this week, but it is now full. Houston also announced that outfielder Taylor Trammell has been placed on the 10-day IL due to a cervical muscle strain, with infielder Brice Matthews recalled as the corresponding move.

France, now 30, gave Houston some solid work a few years back. In 2023, he logged 136 1/3 innings with a 3.83 earned run average. Unfortunately, he couldn’t carry it over into 2024. He posted a 7.46 ERA in five starts before requiring shoulder surgery.

He got back on the mound a month ago, beginning a rehab assignment on July 21st. He made five rehab appearances, logging 13 innings with an 8.31 ERA. That’s obviously not a nice number but teams usually focus more on health than results when it comes to these long layoffs.

A rehab assignment for a pitcher comes with a 30-day maximum and France was at the end of that window. Despite all the injuries Houston has suffered this year, their rotation is currently in a decent spot. They have Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti and Jason Alexander currently taking the ball. Lance McCullers Jr. is about to come off the IL and jump back into the mix, with Luis Garcia nearing a return as well. That will leave France squeezed into a Triple-A depth role, where he can continue shaking off the rust.

France has just one option year remaining. If he spends 20 days or more on optional assignment, then he will  burn that option this year and be out of options heading into 2026. If the Astros want to preserve that option, they could recall him for a long relief role when roster expand in September.

Photo courtesy of Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images