Astros DFA outfielder to make room for Cristian Javier on 40-man roster

Astros DFA outfielder to make room for Cristian Javier on 40-man roster originally appeared on The Sporting News

At the start of the new week, the Houston Astros are still hanging on to the lead in the AL West, even though the Seattle Mariners are getting close to passing them up.

While the Mariners currently ride a seven-game winning streak, they have managed to get within a half-game of the Astros. Houston has been struggling to get things flowing after a bust MLB trade deadline. Their record in August is 4-5.

Although the Astros are going through an adjustment period, they have been able to get key returns from multiple starting pitchers in hopes that they can help get the team out of their slump.

Starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti made his return from a fractured finger last week, and now Cristian Javier is set to return to the mound on Monday in the Astros series-opener against the Boston Red Sox.

As Houston reinstated Javier from the 60-day injured list before his start, the Astros made multiple roster moves. Along with optioning left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land, the Astros decided to designate outfielder Cooper Hummel for assignment, according to Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart.

Cooper Hummel has been DFA’d

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 11, 2025

Hummel, 30, was in his second stint of his career with the Astros after playing in six games with Houston in the 2024 season. 

Since his first stint with the Astros, Hummel has made one appearance with the Baltimore Orioles in 2025 before rejoining the Houston on a minor league deal in June.

With Houston struggling to find players in the outfield this season, Hummel made appearances in 36 games for the Astros this season. Tallying statistics of a .170 batting average, .298 on-base percentage, .273 slugging percentage, and a .571 OPS while hitting three home runs and seven RBI.