The Astros have signed right-hander Anthony Maldonado to a minor league deal, per Matt Eddy of Baseball America. The righty will presumably receive an invite to major league camp in spring training.
Maldonado, 28 in February, has a limited big league track record. He tossed 19 innings for the 2024 Marlins and then six innings for the Athletics this year. In the 25 combined innings, he has allowed 20 earned runs, leading to a 7.20 ERA. The A’s outrighted him off their 40-man roster at season’s end and he elected free agency.
Given the quality and quantity of that sample, the Astros are presumably more interested in his minor league numbers. Over multiple seasons, he has tossed 160 2/3 Triple-A innings with a 3.59 ERA. He has walked a worrisome 10.8% of batters faced at that level but has also punched out opponents at a strong 31.7% clip.
The Astros had a strong bullpen in 2025 but it leans to the left side, with Josh Hader, Bryan King, Steven Okert and Bennett Sousa all projected to be in there next year. Maldonado is a no-risk flier on a cheap righty arm. If he cracks the roster, he still has an option remaining and less than a year of service time.
Photo courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images
It’s a non-roster depth that might get a spot if the Astros are too injured.
2024 Tayler Scott?
Not sure. But I have a feeling Steven Okert is the next Scott if Astros tender him a contract.