Astros Claim Justin Maxwell

Astros GM, Jeff Luhnow, announced Sunday that the club has claimed OF Justin Maxwell off waivers from the New York Yankees. He will report to the big league club on Monday and will likely be dressed for the night game against the Atlanta Braves. Since the club has claimed Maxwell, it will require a corresponding roster move.

Justin Maxwell was actually drafted three times. The first being in 2001 as the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 43rd round. He chose not to sign and instead went to college and was then selected by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round in 2004 and finally was a fourth round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2005. He was then traded in February 2011 to the Yankees. Last season, Maxwell spent at AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre where he put up a .260/.358/.588 line while hitting sixteen home runs and driving in thirty five runs.

His addition will give the Astros a right handed bat off the bench which is something the club has lacked since trading away Jason Bourgeois to the Kansas City Royals. My guess is one of bullpen arms is sent down to AAA, Oklahoma City since we had depth there but I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Brian Bixler sent back to AAA. Whichever the case may be, we should find out as soon as this afternoon.