The Astros have designated left-hander Matt Gage for assignment, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. This move opens up a roster spot for left-hander Josh Hader, whose signing has now been officially announced by the club.
Gage, 31 next month, has been on Houston’s roster just under a year, having been claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays in February of 2023. He spent the year as frequently-optioned bullpen depth, making five appearances in the majors with a 2.70 earned run average. His 34 Triple-A appearances didn’t go as well, as he posted a 4.58 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He struck out 23.4% of batters at that level but also walked 12%.
The southpaw had a better year in 2022, tossing 42 1/3 Triple-A innings while with the Jays, posting a 2.34 ERA for Buffalo. He paired a 27.4% strikeout rate with a 9.5% walk rate and also kept the ball on the ground at a 47% clip. He also made 11 big league appearances for the Jays with a 1.38 ERA.
The Astros will now have a week to trade Gage or try to pass him through waivers. Left-hander relief tends to always be in demand around the league and he still has an option remaining, which will enhance his appeal. His 2023 numbers for Sugar Land weren’t amazing, but clubs will surely take the hitter-friendly setting into account.
For the Astros, their situational lefty group takes a hit with Gage’s departure. Hader will be in the closer’s role for the foreseeable future, with Bennett Sousa and Parker Mushinski as the other southpaw relievers still on the roster.
mlb fan
Now Matt will be able to spend more time with his family and possibly reconnect with his brother “twelve”.
Rocker49
Sounds like a joke DeGrom Texas Moron would say
mlb fan
I don’t filter. 98% of the time I write the first thing that pops into my head.
DeferredFan
Maybe, don’t
jjd002
Made me laugh.
jhomeslice
Seems like a perfect future dumpster dive candidate for the White Sox, as is every DFA.
Clofreesz
I “Hade” this deal, but what will be, will be.
TellItGoodbye
Joey Bart for Gage. SF drafted him, so why not bring him back. Do it, FZ! (Or Dusty)
JackStrawb
An obvious Mets target. 31 yo who found a strikeout pitch at age 28. Control problems. BB rate soared to 5 per 9 in 2022 in Sugar Land. One plausible milb ERA since 2014…
Meet your new setup man, Mets fans. Stearns injured himself diving for the phone.
brooklyn62
JackStrawb my friend, so bitter!
The Big Yo
Oakland
CaptainHooks
I wonder if the Minnesota Twins will pick Matt Gage up.
Zippy the Pinhead
Maaaarrrrrriners, Come out and playyyeeeeayyy. I’d like to see Jerry pick up a Gage to go with his other bullpen reclamation projects. At least this one is a LH..
CaptainHooks
Minor League Contract with a Spring Training invite?
Astros_fan_in_Aus
If memory serves correctly, claiming Gage was the first move that Dana Brown made after he was appointed.. Not one to brag about.
88 Brooklyn Dodgers
Nicholas Cage’s brother??? Even looks exactly like him.
kellin
Nicholas Cage is a Coppola.
Bart Harley Jarvis
At first glance, I thought the headline was, “Astros Designate Matt Gaga For Assignment”. That’s all I got.
DarkSide830
Gotta imagine he’s got his eyes on a job overseas.
The cookie-man
Looks like a decent pickup for my A’s…
SeeGilley
Only God knows for sure!