Former Cardinals outfielder Nelson Velazquez claimed by Astros

Nelson Velazquez, who was designated for assignment on Saturday to make room on the roster for newly acquired outfielder Everson Pereira, was claimed by the Houston Astros on Monday. That ended the Cards' hopes of hanging onto Velazquez and makes him a member of the Astros, a club that got a good look at the slugging outfielder during Spring Training. 

Velazquez, 27, thought he had made the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster after hitting .357 with four homers and 10 RBI in Spring Training, but the club instead sent him to Triple-A. He was promoted on May 29, and he had two hits, a homer and three RBI in a win over the Cubs.

Used primarily as an occasional starter or pinch-hitter against left-handed pitchers, Velazquez had four doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI in 34 games. He compiled a .721 OPS, but he struck out 25 times and walked just seven.

Velazquez had a hit in last Wednesday’s win over the Yankees, but he went just 2 for his last 22 with the Cardinals. In his MLB career with the Cubs, Royals and Cardinals, he has 35 homers and 99 RBI with a .720 OPS in 228 career games.