James was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

James was signed to a minor-league deal in January after not pitching anywhere in 2023 following flexor tendon surgery. His stint at Triple-A Memphis did not go well, to stay the least, as he held a 19.96 ERA and 5:15 K:BB over 7.2 innings. James hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021.

James signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

James has not pitched anywhere since undergoing flexor tendon surgery back in October of 2022, and he hasn't appeared in the majors since 2021. It would appear he's healthy now, and the Cards will take a shot on the former top prospect in hopes he has something left in the tank. James holds a career 4.64 ERA and 158:61 K:BB over 106.2 frames covering parts of four major-league seasons.

The Astros declined to tender James (forearm) a contract for 2023, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Once viewed as a rising star in some fantasy circles, James has battled injury and command issues. Most recently the right-hander underwent surgery on his flexor tendon in October, leaving his status for the spring uncertain. Now a free agent, James will look to showcase himself for teams once healthy.

James underwent surgery on his flexor tendon this week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

James has spent the last several months recovering from a lat strain and suffered a setback during his rehab assignment in mid-September due to forearm discomfort. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will be ready for spring training in 2023 following his procedure.

James (lat) was pulled from his rehab assignment due to forearm discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

James was in the process of rehabbing his strained lat before being shut down -- now due to an issue in his forearm. He was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land before the season began and has been on the 60-day injured list since late-June. The specifics and severeness of his forearm injury are not known yet, but he will likely be shut down for the season.

James (lat) has tossed three scoreless innings while striking out nine and allowing one hit and no walks through his first three rehab appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land.

EDGE Analysis

James was shut down for more than two months with a right lat strain before he started up the assignment Aug. 25. He's been electric across his first three outings, leaving the Astros optimistic that he can make an impact out of the big-league bullpen down the stretch. James previously struck out 100 batters over 61.1 innings in the majors in 2019, but he's struggled with both health and control issues over the subsequent three seasons.

James was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain Thursday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

James was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of Opening Day in 2022, and he posted a lackluster 7.59 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in 21.1 innings over 23 appearances in the minors to begin the year. However, he'll be sidelined for at least two months after being placed on the 60-day IL. It's not yet clear when the Astros expect James to return.

James was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

James made two relief appearances this spring and allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out one in two innings. He spent most of the 2021 campaign in Sugar Land and posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 18.2 innings across 20 appearances.

James and the Astros agreed to terms on a one-year, $800,000 deal Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

James gets a small raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility despite the fact that he threw just five major-league innings last season. He owns a 6.85 ERA in 22.1 frames over the last two years.

The Astros optioned James to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houston sent out James to clear room on the 28-man active roster for outfielder Michael Brantley (knee), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. James has made five relief appearances for Houston this season, with all of them coming in September.