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Astros reinstate Lamonte Wade Jr. from IL, options 2 players
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- Astros reinstate Lamonte Wade Jr. from IL, options 2 players
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The Houston Astros announced four roster moves on Saturday as they adjusted their roster ahead of their matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays . Houston activated outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. from the 10-day injured list after he recovered from a right hamstring strain and recalled outfielder Zach Dezenzo from Triple-A Sugar Land. To clear roster spots, the team optioned outfielders Jake Meyers and Joey Loperfido to Triple-A.
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Meyers' demotion is striking because it's his first assignment to the minors, outside of injury rehabilitation, since 2022. With fewer than five years of Major League service time, he is not eligible to decline the assignment.
The 25-year-old hasn't had an easy time this season. Across 148 plate appearances, Meyers owns a .206/.264/.316 slash line with a 62 wRC+, putting him on pace for the lowest offensive production of his career. His performance has also been impacted by a Grade 2 oblique strain that kept him out of action for nearly six weeks during April and May. Before the injury, he recorded a .704 OPS over 43 plate appearances, but after returning from the injured list, that figure dropped to .531 across 105 trips to the plate.
Although Meyers has built his reputation on defense, his numbers in center field have also slipped this season. Over 333 innings, he has logged +1 Defensive Runs Saved and +2 Outs Above Average. Last season, he enjoyed an offensive breakthrough, batting .292/.354/.373 in 381 plate appearances, though that production came alongside a .353 batting average on balls in play. This year's .240 BABIP has contributed to his decline.
With Meyers in Triple-A, the Astros are expected to split center field duties between Taylor Trammell and Brice Matthews . Trammell has compiled a 108 wRC+ through 112 plate appearances, aided by a .371 BABIP, while Matthews has provided defensive versatility by playing center field, left field, second base and third base despite limited offensive production.
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Wade, who signed with Houston after being released from a minor league deal by the Chicago White Sox in early June, appeared in four games before suffering the hamstring injury. His return, along with Dezenzo's promotion, gives the Astros additional options in left field, where both players could share playing time while Yordan Alvarez continues to spend most of his time at designated hitter.
Houston entered Saturday's game against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays with a 43-47 record, trailing in the AL West as the team looks to remain within reach of the division-leading Texas Rangers heading into the final series before the All-Star break.
Related: MLB rumors: 2 Astros OF trade targets named alongside Tarik Skubal, Sonny Gray pursuits
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