Madris Selected from Triple A Sugar Land; Brantley, Urquidy Transferred to 60-Day IL
HOUSTON, TX РThe Houston Astros have acquired RHP Spenser Watkins from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations. Watkins has been optioned to Triple A Sugar Land. Additionally, the Astros have officially selected OF Bligh Madris (#26) to the Major League roster today. To make room for Watkins and Madris on the 40-man roster, the Astros transferred OF Michael Brantley and RHP Jos̩ Urquidy to the 60-day IL. The announcements were made by Astros General Manager Dana Brown.
Watkins, 30, has two years of Major League experience, appearing mostly as a starter with the Orioles between 2021-22, making 39 appearances (30 starts) with them over that stretch. He went 5-6 with a 4.70 ERA (55ER/105.1IP) in a career-high 23 games (20 starts) with the Orioles last season. He spent his entire 2023 season with Triple A Norfolk, appearing in eight games (6 starts) prior to begin designated for assignment on June 20. The Detroit Tigers selected Watkins in the 30th round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft from Western Oregon University. Watkins spent five seasons in the Tigers minor league system (2014-19), working at the Triple A level in both 2018 and ’19, before signing with the Orioles prior to the 2021 season. Through nine minor league seasons, he has gone 45-30 with a 3.97 ERA (293ER/664.0IP) in 136 games (112 starts).
Madris, 27, has played his entire 2023 season at Triple A Sugar Land, where he was hitting .249 (58×233) with 10 homers, 36 RBI, 10 stolen bases and an .809 OPS (.363 OBP/.446 SLG) in 60 games for the Space Cowboys. He posted a strong slash line of .272/.389/.538 against right-handed pitchers, hitting nine of his 10 homers against right-handers. The left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing Madris has made 51 starts this season, 36 in the corner outfield positions, 19 at first base and 14 at DH.
