Astros DFA intriguing reliever in wake of Josh Hader signing

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Houston Astros have made the Josh Hader signing official. Of course, since the Astros' 40-man roster was full prior to the announcement of last week's blockbuster deal, a corresponding move had to made.

Unfortunately for Matt Gage, he was designated for assignment. Gage appeared in five games for Houston last season and owned a 2.70 ERA with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work.

Though his major league résumé is not very long, it is impressive. Gage has a career ERA of 1.83 and a 1.068 WHIP along with a 225 ERA+. But those numbers are very inflated, seeing as how the left-hander has only appeared in a tiny sample size of 16 major league games.

Astros DFA intriguing reliever Matt Gage in wake of Josh Hader signing

While it may sting just a touch to lose a left-handed reliever like Gage, the Houston faithful are going to feel a whole lot better when they see that he's being replaced by the best left-handed reliever in the game.

The Astros and Hader agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract this past week. Hader's deal was lauded as the largest present-day value contract for a reliever in the history of the sport. Edwin Diaz signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the New York Mets, but his deal reportedly contains deferrals that lower the present-day value to $94 million.

Hader will join Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu at the backend of the Houston bullpen and turn the eighth and ninth innings into a nightmare for opposing batters. That trio will have the game on lockdown if the Astros take the lead into the eighth inning.

Gage is a left-handed reliever who's enjoyed some measure of success in the big leagues and has minor-league options remaining. At least one team is likely to pluck the southpaw off waivers. If not, Houston could outright Gage to Triple-A and extend him an invite to spring training next month.