Velazquez was released by the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Velazquez pitched well for Triple-A Sugar Land this year and posted a 1.46 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 24.2 innings across 14 appearances (two starts). However, the right-hander is slated to play for Mexico during the Olympics, and he'll be let go by Houston following a successful start to the year. It's not yet clear whether Velazquez could land another contract once he returns from Tokyo.

Velazquez was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Velazquez missed time in early March due to COVID-19 protocols and made three spring appearances for the Astros. He posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 3.1 innings but should begin the regular season with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Velazquez (COVID-19 protocols) made his Grapefruit League debut Sunday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning in the Astros' 5-0 win over the Nationals. He struck out two and worked around a hit and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Velazquez missed a handful of workouts while waiting to clear COVID-19 protocols, but his brief absence from camp shouldn't affect his readiness for Opening Day. Even so, the 32-year-old is on the outside looking in for a spot in the Houston bullpen due to his status as a non-roster invitee.

Manager Dusty Baker said Friday that Velazquez is away from the team due the league's health and safety protocols, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Velazquez has yet to appear in any spring games and will be unavailable until cleared to return to the team facility.

Velazquez was traded from the Orioles to the Astros on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named later, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

It says something about how decimated the Astros pitching staff is at the moment that the team elected to acquire a pitcher who was deemed surplus to requirements by the lowly Orioles. The 31-year-old struggled to a 5.43 ERA in 56.1 innings for the Red Sox last season, striking out just 19.9 percent of opposing batters while walking 11.4 percent. Velazquez had been previously outrighted off the Orioles' 40-man roster, but the Astros likely didn't acquire him without the intention to use him, so he'll presumably see his contract selected by his new team soon.

Velazquez cleared waivers, was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk and was also removed from the Orioles 60-man pool Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old was sent to the team's alternate training site earlier in camp, but he now finds himself off the roster entirely. Velazquez made 34 appearances for the O's last season and had a 5.43 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 49:28 K:BB over 56.1 innings.

The Orioles have optioned Velazquez from their big-league summer camp site to their alternative site in Bowie, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The move seemingly implies that Velazquez is no longer in the mix for a bullpen job with the Orioles as part of their 30-man Opening Day roster. Velazquez's prior experience working as both a starter and reliever with the Red Sox could allow him to get a look from the big club at some point in 2020 when injuries inevitably strike the Baltimore pitching staff.

Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Thursday, but he'll be remaining in the AL East. Velazquez had a 5.43 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 49:28 K:BB in 34 appearances (eight starts) during 2019, and the Orioles are intending to utilize him as a long reliever, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.

The Red Sox designated Velazquez for assignment Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Collin McHugh (elbow), whom the Red Sox signed to a one-year deal. With Chris Sale (elbow) slated to begin the season on the injured list, Velazquez had been one of several candidates for a back-end spot in Boston's Opening Day rotation. His removal from the roster likely leaves Ryan Weber, Chris Mazza and Matt Hall as the primary contenders for the two rotation spots that will be open until McHugh and Sale are ready to fill them.

The Red Sox recalled Velazquez from Triple-A Pawtucket ahead of Sunday's 4-3 win over the Angels. He tossed a scoreless seventh inning and secured his first hold of the season in the outing.

EDGE Analysis

Velazquez was one of six pitchers to take the hill for Boston in what amounted to a bullpen day with starter David Price (wrist) pulled after 45 pitches in his return from the injured list. Entering play Sunday, Velazquez owned a 5.81 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 26 outings (eight starts) with the big club, so one solid relief appearance won't be enough for him to earn a prominent role in the bullpen.