The Houston Astros made a deal after the trade deadline to acquire a left-handed pitcher for cash considerations.
The Houston Astros had a busy MLB trade deadline, as they acquired Carlos Correa, Jesus Sanchez, and Ramon Urias. To acquire Sanchez, the Astros and the Miami Marlins linked up on a deal, but despite the trade deadline passing, it wouldn't be their last.
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Astros and Marlins have agreed to a trade that would send minor league left-handed pitcher John Rooney to the Astros for cash considerations.
The Astros have acquired left-hander John Rooney from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations. Rooney will join the team in Boston today. Luis Contreras was optioned to Triple-A.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 3, 2025
The 28-year-old left-hander will join the MLB roster and the team in Boston for their series finale against the Red Sox. To make room on the MLB roster, Luis Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land.
It's a trade after the trade deadline, but there's a reason why this works. The MLB trade deadline is only for players on 40-man rosters. For minor leaguers not on 40-man rosters, teams can still trade those players past the trade deadline.
Rooney, a former third-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018, has yet to make his MLB debut after seven years in the minor leagues. But, with the Astros swinging a deal for him after the deadline, he can make his debut as early as the Red Sox series.
MORE: Astros agree to blockbuster trade with Twins for Carlos Correa
This season in Triple-A for the Marlins, Rooney has a 2.45 ERA in 38 appearances with 11 holds and four saves across 33 innings with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks. Batters are hitting just .174 off of him, and he has a WHIP of 1.27 on the year.
Across his minor league career, in 204 games, Rooney has a 3.85 ERA, a 27-19 record, 22 holds, eight saves, 436 strikeouts, and 193 walks in 414 innings pitched.
Houston made a trade after the deadline, acquiring a reliever who has yet to make his debut. Now with the Astros MLB club, Rooney will join the team's bullpen as he looks to help the Astros avoid a sweep to the Red Sox in Boston.
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Category: Baseball
