Astros release struggling veteran José Abreu, eat contract

As the Texas Rangers look to move out of second place in the AL West, the Houston Astros remain within striking distance in the standings. However, a significant move could be a sign of optimism or the start of a potential sale before the deadline.

The Astros officially released troubled first baseman José Abreu from their roster Friday morning. The club has yet to announce a corresponding decision or potential long-term plan before beginning a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.

Abreu, the former 2020 AL MVP, fell hard after leaving the Chicago White Sox. The Astros believed that despite the lack of home runs in his final season with the White Sox, the dimensions of Minute Maid Park would work for him.

They did not do it.

Abreu signed a three-year, $58.5 million contract but struggled at the plate in 176 games with the Astros. He didn’t hit his first home run until 52 games into his tenure with the Astros and never hit over .237. His contact rate increased late in the regular season, but Houston invested in his power.

In 35 games, Abreu hit .124 with two home runs. He was sent to the team’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., for rehabilitation after starting the season hitting .99, but little had improved once he was recalled earlier this month.

Perhaps the only bright spot in Abreu’s tenure in Houston came in the playoffs against the Rangers in the ACLS. The Cuban native hit .271 with a home run and five RBIs.

Even though Abreu’s departure opens up a roster spot, Houston’s options initially remain a concern. Between Abreu and Jon Singleton, Houston has a .181 average and .553 OPS for its first basemen, the second lowest among clubs heading into Father’s Day weekend.

There have been conversations about working rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido at first base at Triple-A Sugar Land, but timing is everything.

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