Sneed agreed to a deal with the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sneed made 26 appearances for the Astros after the past two seasons, posting a 5.59 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 44:15 K:BB across 38.2 innings. The 28-year-old will continue his career in Japan in search of a more regular role.

Sneed (0-3) was tagged with the loss Tuesday against the Giants after allowing one run on two hits across two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Sneed came into the game with the game tied in extra innings, but he allowed back-to-back singles to Austin Slater and Brandon Crawford, so pinch-runner Wilmer Flores, who started the 10th at second base, crossed home plate for the game-winning run. Sneed has struggled of late, giving up six runs (four earned) in 1.2 innings across his last three appearances.

Sneed (0-2) was tagged with the loss and a blown save in Friday's extra-innings loss to the Athletics. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Sneed was the last in a long line of relievers from the seventh to the 13th innings. He was called on to close out the game after Houston pushed a run across in the top of the 13th, but the right-hander blew his second save opportunity. It was the third time in the last four appearances that Sneed allowed runs.

Sneed allowed a hit and an inherited runner to score over two-thirds of an inning and blew a save in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Houston's closer, Roberto Osuna, came on to close out the game but left with discomfort in his arm. At that point, with limited bullpen options due to injuries and already-used relievers, manager Dusty Baker turned to Sneed to finish the game. He threw a wild pitch that advanced a runner to second, then gave up a double to yield the tying run. Ryan Pressly, who left Saturday's game with a cut that does not appear to be serious, is the likely fill-in closer while Osuna has his arm checked out.

Sneed (0-1) allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out one over 2.1 innings and picked up the extra-innings loss in Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Sneed gave Houston's depleted bullpen all that he could but tired in the 13th and final inning as his pitch count reached the mid-30s. He gave up a two-run home run to Edwin Rios, which turned out to be the difference. He had two scoreless, one-inning appearances prior to Wednesday's extra-innings affair.

Sneed is in the mix for a bullpen spot when the regular season opens late July, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sneed's status remains unchanged from this past spring when the 27-year-old right-hander was battling for one of the final two relief jobs. The expanded rosters should help his cause to start the season, but as rosters are trimmed to 28 then 26, he may not survive. Sneed's main competition appears to be Joe Biagini and the starters that don't win the No. 5 spot in the rotation, a list that includes Josh James, Austin Pruitt, Framber Valdez and Bryan Abreu.

Sneed is one of four pitchers vying for two spots in the bullpen, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

When MLB paused spring training, the Astros had a few pitchers in the mix for the final rotation spot and Justin Verlander (groin) was set to miss time. How the team resolves its rotation will impact the final relief spots. Sneed will be competing with Joe Biagini and the non-starters among a group consisting of Josh James, Bryan Abreu and Austin Pruitt.

Sneed was recalled by the Astros on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction will be Sneed's eighth just in the month of August, meaning he'll likely be quite happy to see rosters expand at the start of September. He owns a 4.26 ERA in 12.2 innings for the Astros this season. Brad Peacock (shoulder) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

The Astros optioned Sneed to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He was sent back to the minors to clear a spot on the active roster for Framber Valdez, who was recalled from Triple-A to serve as Houston's fifth starter for its series finale Sunday versus the Angels. The Astros will likely bring back Sneed in September as a long-relief option.

Sneed was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aaron Sanchez (pectoral) was sent to the injured list in a corresponding move, allowing Sneed to rejoin the Astros just two days after being optioned to Round Rock. The righty, who owns a 4.26 ERA and 13:3 K:BB in 12.2 big-league innings this season, will likely fill a long-relief role during his time in the majors.