The Houston Astros have made significant roster moves, as reported by Chandler Rome of The Athletic on X. They have officially promoted infielder/outfielder Aledmys Díaz from the minors while making corresponding adjustments by optioning infielder Grae Kessinger and designating infielder David Hensley for assignment.
Aledmys Díaz, at 33 years old, recently inked a minor league contract with the Astros just over a week ago. His journey to Houston follows a tumultuous stint with the Oakland Athletics, where he struggled after signing a two-year deal in 2023. During his time with the Athletics, Díaz endured difficulties both on the field and with injuries, particularly grappling with groin and calf issues that sidelined him for a significant portion of this season.
His performance in 2023 was lackluster, batting a mere .229 with an on-base percentage of .280 across 125 games. The Athletics eventually parted ways with Díaz earlier this year, leaving them responsible for the remainder of his $8 million salary, while any team picking him up now would only owe him the prorated league minimum, with the Athletics covering the difference.
Despite his struggles, the Astros saw potential in Díaz and assigned him to their Complex League, where he showed promising signs by hitting .333 with a .313 on-base percentage and .400 slugging percentage in just four games. Houston management remains optimistic that Díaz can rediscover the form that made him a valuable utility player during his previous tenure with the Astros from 2019 to 2022. In that period, Díaz impressed with a slash line of .255/.313/.424, demonstrating versatility by playing across multiple infield positions and the outfield corners.
David Hensley, on the other hand, has had a contrasting journey with the Astros. The 28-year-old has been part of Houston’s 40-man roster since August 2022 but has mostly been on optional assignments during his tenure. His major league performance has been limited, accumulating a batting average of .177 with an on-base percentage of .273 and a slugging percentage of .274 across 128 plate appearances in 46 games.
Hensley’s trajectory has seen fluctuations between minor league success and major league challenges. Prior to his promotion to the Astros, he showcased strong offensive capabilities in the minors, boasting a slash line of .295/.395/.458 with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 124 over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. However, his transition to the majors has been less smooth, reflected in a decline in his batting average on balls in play (BABIP) from .380 in the minors to a more modest .308 in the majors. His recent performance from 2023 onwards has seen a drop in his overall line to .228/.358/.367, albeit with an increased walk rate of 16.6% alongside a higher strikeout rate of 26.3%.
With Hensley now designated for assignment, the Astros have a limited window to explore potential trades or send him through waivers. Should he clear waivers, he could still remain with the organization in a non-roster capacity. His minimal service time in the majors also means the Astros retain significant club control over his future.
In conclusion, the Astros’ roster adjustments involving Aledmys Díaz and David Hensley underscore their strategic maneuvers as they seek to optimize their lineup for the ongoing season. Díaz’s arrival brings hope of bolstering their bench depth with his versatility and previous success in Houston, while Hensley’s designation reflects the competitive nature of major league roster decisions, where performance and adaptability are crucial factors in shaping team dynamics. As Houston navigates the complexities of the baseball season, these moves serve as a testament to their commitment to optimizing their roster for success on the field.
