The Astros announced that outfielder Dustin Harris was claimed off waivers from the White Sox. To create space for Harris on Houston’s 40-man roster, right-hander J.P. France was designated for assignment, as reported by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome shortly before the team’s official announcement.
Houston has 10 pitchers on the injured list, so it is a little surprising to see the team part ways with France when he has a minor league option remaining. Lack of pitching depth aside, however, France didn’t do much to hang onto his spot by posting an 8.10 ERA over 6 2/3 innings and three appearances for the Astros this season. The Astros also already designated France and subsequently outrighted him off the 40-man roster back in February, before selecting his contract again on April 10 when Cristian Javier went on the IL with a grade 2 shoulder strain.
Because of that past outright, France has the ability to elect free agency if he clears waivers again. Given how he wasn’t claimed last time around and he hasn’t done much to improve his stock since Opening Day, France may well clear waivers and then decide on either testing the open market or accepting another outright to Triple-A. Given how the Astros are in such dire need of pitching, France might feel comfortable biding his time in the minors until Houston gives him another look.
France has spent his entire career in the Astros organization, beginning as a 14th-round pick in the 2018 draft. He broke into the majors with a solid 3.83 ERA over 136 1/3 innings and 24 games (23 of them starts) in 2023, but has since delivered a 7.00 ERA over only 36 big league frames, as shoulder problems sidelined France for the bulk of the 2024-25 seasons.
Beyond all of Houston’s pitching injuries, the loss of Jake Meyers (oblique strain) and Zach Dezenzo (right elbow sprain) also depleted what was already a thin outfield picture. Harris can provide some depth given his experience at all three outfield positions, and his left-handed bat adds some balance to a very right-handed Astros roster. However, fellow outfielders Joey Loperfido and Taylor Trammell are two of the three other lefty swingers on the 26-man, leaving Harris a bit of an imperfect fit in terms of platoon work.
Harris has played in each of the last three MLB seasons, hitting .224/.318/.414 with two homers over 66 plate appearances and 27 games for the Rangers and White Sox. After being outrighted off the Texas roster in November, Harris elected free agency and signed with the Sox on a minor league deal. Chicago selected Harris to the 26-man on April 7 and he got into six games for the team before being DFA’ed earlier this week.
Harris looked a bit more playable in his cup of coffee than Tristan Peters is looking in his cooling down period. Peters also had options. They did need a 40-man spot for Antonacci. We are talking fungible 4th OFs and teeny tiny sample sizes.
They could have moved one of the TJ surgery guys from last year to the 60-day.
Loperfido is gonna go on the IL, he pulled something trying to leg out a ground ball last night.
I like Harris, pulling for him. He had very competitive at bats when he first came up with The Rangers. I’m not thrilled about him being in Houston, but hope he breaks out and gets regular playing time.
Sox should pick up JP then. Trade!