Overview
- Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that Houston plans to add 23-year-old right-hander Alimber Santa from Triple-A Sugar Land to the 40-man roster and bring him to Chicago for his first big-league game.
- The club opened a 40-man spot by designating righty Cody Bolton for assignment but still must clear an active-roster spot, likely by optioning a pitcher, before Santa can be activated.
- Santa has dominated early at Triple-A this season, posting a 1.42 ERA in his first 18 outings with strong strikeout rates and improved control that pushed the Astros to promote him.
- Scouting and pitch-tracking show Santa leaning on a mid-90s four-seam fastball and a mid-80s slider this year despite offseason reports that credited him with a wider five-pitch mix.
- The call-up responds to a Houston bullpen that has the highest ERA in MLB this season and could alter how the team manages late innings and workloads for veteran relievers over the next weeks.