The Houston Astros are working to add to their roster before Thursday’s trade deadline, and the biggest items are a left-handed bat and help for the pitching staff. With a mountain of injuries continuing to pile it, a trade could be the difference between a long playoff run or a quick stop in October, and there are several moves that are being discussed with the hours counting down.
But sometimes it’s a smaller deal that can make a big difference, and the Astros are hoping for that as they added an extra reliever two days before the deadline.
Astros Add Pitcher Cody Bolton to Minor League Deal
According to the MLB transaction log, the Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Cody Bolton. The right-hander was assigned to the team’s Florida complex and will eventually join Triple-A Sugar Land as part of the deal.
If Bolton is the only move the Astros make ahead of the deadline, it might not be a good thing. Bolton hasn’t pitched since April 23 and was released by the Cleveland Guardians on June 6 after spending five weeks on the injured list. He also made one appearance in the majors in April but allowed three runs in two innings.
This is the story on Bolton, who was a sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2017 draft. He also spent time with the Seattle Mariners, logging a 4.34 ERA in 17 appearances (18.2 innings) during the 2024 season, but has allowed a 5.79 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over his 34 career appearances in the major leagues.
The Astros need some help on the mound but their bullpen seems to be a strength among a banged up unit. Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu, and Bryan King form the current late-inning bridge, but Houston may want to add another power arm in case they want to go “five-and-fly” with their starting rotation during the final stretch.
That may pale in comparison to find someone to play second base, but pitching is something the Astros should have an eye on.