The Houston Astros have made a number of roster moves in the past week-plus as the team looks to make a late-season push and carry positive momentum into the playoffs.
Before MLB’s July 31 trade deadline, the club made deals to acquire shortstop (now third baseman) Carlos Correa from the Minnesota Twins, outfielder Jesús Sánchez from the Miami Marlins and third baseman Ramón Urías from the Baltimore Orioles.
The Astros’ roster churn continued on Thursday, as they signed veteran relief pitcher Enyel De Los Santos to a major-league contract and plan to elevate him to their active roster for Friday’s game against the New York Yankees, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. Nick Hernandez was optioned to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate, and Luis Contreras was designated for assignment in subsequent transactions to clear space on the team’s 26- and 40-man rosters, respectively.
De Los Santos most recently played for the Atlanta Braves, who designated him for assignment on July 30 of this year and outrighted him to the Gwinnett Stripers in Triple-A four days later. On Aug 4., De Los Santos elected free agency instead of reporting to the minor leagues.
He pitched to a 3-3 record, 4.53 ERA, and 1.31 WHIP in 43.2 innings pitched across 43 relief appearances with the Braves this season. Opposing batters hit .231 against De Los Santos, who has recorded nearly half as many walks (18) as strikeouts (38) in 2025.
Prior to joining the Braves, De Los Santos spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies (2018-19 and 2021), Pittsburgh Pirates (2021), Cleveland Guardians (2022-2023), San Diego Padres, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox (all in 2024).
