At this stage of the MLB regular season, most teams have their rosters locked in for the playoff push. The trade deadline is already in the rearview mirror, so the only way you are adding guys at this point is through signings or call-ups from the minor leagues.
The Houston Astros will likely call up a couple of guys from the minors as rosters will expand to 28 players in September. However, until then, the Stros will hope to get a few starters back from the injured list, including star slugger Yordan Alvarez.
As we know, anytime a team brings back someone from the injured list or makes a call-up from the minor leagues, a player has to get sent packing from the big leagues.
This was the case for veteran outfielder Cooper Hummel, who was designated for assignment last week. However, it didn’t take a long time for Hummel to find another opportunity.
Ex-Astros OF Cooper Hummel Signs with Tampa Bay Rays
On Sunday night, Ari Alexander of KPRC-2 reported that Hummel has signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
It’s been an interesting 2025 season for the 30-year-old outfielder who began the year with the Astros. Houston designated Hummel for assignment on March 27 and was ultimately released on April 3.
Days after being let go by Houston, the veteran outfielder signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. Hummel didn’t play in any major league games with the Yankees, as he spent 10 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
He hit .258 with a double and two RBI at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before New York parted ways on May 24.
Hummel then signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles the next day, but then the O’s sent him packing days later. He only appeared in one game with Baltimore before ending up back in Houston on June 7 on a minor league deal.
The Astros ultimately called Hummel back up to the majors a week later. He appeared in 36 games in Houston, slashing a pedestrian .172/.301/.276 with three home runs and seven RBI. Hummel also had a brief stint at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he hit .292 with two home runs and seven RBI.
It will be interesting to see if Hummel can get back to the majors before the season ends, but that likely depends on how he performs at Triple-A, where he’s shown that he can play.