The Astros designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter). Houston called up Sergio Escalona in a corresponding move.
Figueroa made the Astros' rotation out of Spring Training, but has since been demoted to the bullpen. After a two-inning outing tonight in which he allowed a run and five baserunners, Figueroa has a season ERA of 8.69 with 16 walks, 45 hits allowed and 17 strikeouts. Last year he posted a 3.22 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 67 innings as a swingman.
If the 36-year-old right-hander gets picked up off of waivers, it will the fourth time he has been claimed in his nine-year career. Just last year, the Phillies selected Figueroa off of waivers from the Mets and the Astros nabbed him from the Phillies.
Jack Sharp
Was hoping Lyles but guess im rushing that.
jatorres
His numbers aren’t looking too good, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see him until September.
FLYH88
Well that is Ed Wade for you. Replacing one ex-Phillie with another.
Dude Solarsystem
I know I couldn’t help but notice he replaced an ex-Phillie with another,
vonhayesdays
why was it the phillies selected him but the astros nabbed him , like the phillies were some how caught unaware or off guard , that somebody they really didnt have a use for got picked off scrap heap , had to bring this up every time i see your name i think of Lindros
bigpat
That WHIP can’t be pretty, yikes.
Zebradune
Mets should pick him up. Virtually no pitching depth right now.
alphakira
Agreed. He’s more of a AAAA pitcher, but considering that’s basically what the Mets are right now, it’s a good fit. Wouldn’t mind seeing him back in a Mets uniform.
kimofromkauai
Figueroa might still have something in the tank in a fly ball pitcher friendly park on the west coast; like LA, SD, SF, Sea, or Oak. I think he can still contribute in those situations.