The St. Louis Cardinals continue to add depth to the organization. The 2023 season certainly was a disaster for the Cardinals and the club has responded by adding some frontline talent, but also bolstering organizational depth with big-league experience.
The Cardinals announced Friday that they’ve signed right-handed reliever Josh James to a minor league contract. The 30-year-old hasn’t pitched in the Majors for two seasons and was non-tendered by the Astros after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair his right flexor tendon in 2022.
The Houston Astros tendered contracts to eight of the nine eligible players prior to Friday evening's 7 p.m. CST deadline. The only player left on the outside looking in was right-handed pitcher Josh James. James has had his ups and downs with the club over the past few seasons.
The Houston Astros made one housekeeping move Thursday, activating Josh James from the 60-day injured list. With Will Smith, Trey Mancini and Justin Verlander joining the free agency pool in the last two days, the Astros have fallen to 34 players on their 40-man roster.
After starting the season in Sugar Land, Josh James couldn't find a groove. The Houston Astros righty hit the injured list June 21 and was transferred to the Major League 60-day IL two days later due to a right lat strain.
Starting his rehab assignment Aug. 25, Josh James' seventh appearance didn't go as planned. The Houston Astros right-hander worked a six-pitch groundout to Salt Lake City Bees' Jake Palomaki before inducing a home run to Jake Gatewood five pitches later.
While the Houston Astros were off Thursday, three rehab assignments were in full swing with Aledmys Díaz, Josh James and Blake Taylor playing for Triple-A Sugar Land. Díaz officially started his rehab assignment Thursday, manning shortstop and hitting second for the Space Cowboys.
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys downed the Round Rock Express in a matinee Wednesday afternoon. In relief, both Blake Taylor and Josh James made appearances, continuing their respective rehab assignments for the Houston Astros. Taylor manned the the seventh inning on 14 pitches, 10 for strikes.
Josh James made his fourth rehab appearance Sunday on 18 pitches (11 strikes), punching out two batters in one relief inning for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Houston Astros right-handed reliever Josh James continued his Major League rehab assignment Wednesday for Triple-A Sugar Land. The righty added to his strikeout streak, punching out the side on 14 pitches, 11 for strikes.
Josh James continued his rehab assignment with Single-A Fayetteville on Sunday, starting his second game in four days. Working one inning, James struck
Single-A Fayetteville slated Josh James the starter Thursday. Opening his 30-day Major League rehab assignment window, James struck out three batters in
Josh James is scheduled to appear for the Single-A Fayetteville Woodpeckers on Thursday, opening a 30-day rehab window, per broadcaster Andrew Chapman.
The Astros reinstated first baseman/corner outfielder Taylor Jones from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.
The Astros have selected the contract of Marwin Gonzalez.
Josh James’ return to the Astros could be right around the corner. The Houston Astros have yet to promote right-handed pitcher Josh James to the major leagues this season, and the reasons are understandable.
James underwent left hip surgery last October, a procedure that originally called for a six-to-eight month recovery timeline. His rehab process was delayed a bit further by a hamstring issue.
Get to know Astros pitching prospect J.P. France The Astros have continually drafted pitchers later in the draft and found value that some other teams haven’t.
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