The Astros have called up pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, a move that was announced last night. In a corresponding roster move, pitcher Wander Suero was sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land to free up a spot on the active roster, while utility player Cooper Hummel was designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster. Chandler Rome of The Athletic was one of the reporters who shared these transactions.
Hummel, aged 29, was recently claimed off waivers but with the recent additions to the 40-man roster, he lost his spot on the team. He has bounced around different teams in the past few months, moving from the Mariners in 2023 to the Mets, Giants, and now the Astros through waivers or cash transactions.
There’s a possibility that he might be on the move again soon if the Astros don’t find a trade for him or if he passes through waivers unclaimed within the week.
In the majors, Hummel’s performance at the plate has been lackluster with a batting line of .166/.264/.286 in 227 plate appearances. However, in the minors, he has been much more productive. Over the past year, he has shown a solid batting line of .287/.419/.488 with a wRC+ of 131 in Triple-A, drawing walks in 17.3% of his plate appearances while maintaining a manageable strikeout rate of 21.2%.
Defensively, Hummel brings versatility, having played multiple positions including catcher, outfield corners, first base, and a bit of time at third base. He still has one option year left, allowing the Astros to keep him in Triple-A for depth until needed. With less than a year of service time, he’s far from arbitration or free agency eligibility.
Given Hummel’s offensive numbers in Triple-A, his defensive flexibility, and his contract situation, he remains an attractive option for other teams, considering the interest he has garnered since last year.
It’s likely that he could be on the move once again in the near future. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, he could remain with the Astros as non-roster depth due to his service time and career status.
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