Jose Veras Signs Minor League Deal with Houston Astros

The Houston Astros wanted to re-sign him. Jose Veras ended up taking an opportunity with the Chicago Cubs for the 2014 season. However his performance this season was not going well and the Cubs gave up on him ending with a designation for assignment.

Per MLBTR, Veras will report to Florida for extended Spring Training prior to joining the Oklahoma City Redhawks.

Last July the Astros traded Veras to the Detroit Tigers. He pitched well down the stretch, a 3.20 ERA in 19 2/3 innings pitched. But after the club option was declined and he decided to sign as the Cubs’ closer, things went south quickly. Jose’s main problem was not the walks or hits, rather the walk rate. In 13 1/3 innings 11 batters received a free pass. His time in Chicago came to an end with an 8.10 ERA.

The veteran right-handed pitcher has a career 3.99 ERA through parts of 9 seasons in the major leagues. Veras was superb for the Astros last season, picking up 19 saves and recording a 2.93 ERA in 43 innings of work.

This move is somewhat curious given the late string of success in the Astros bullpen. Tony Sipp and Kyle Farnsworth have been great in-season acquisitions. But Alex White is looking to return to the major leagues as a relief pitcher. Anthony Bass, Jesse Crain, and Matt Albers are all on the disabled list and could all be back in the major leagues by the All-Star Break.

Josh Fields has also been added to the disabled list while RHP Paul Clemens has been recalled from Oklahoma City.