The Houston Astros will release outfielder Steven Souza Jr., the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday, ending his chances of making the roster following a lackluster spring training.
Souza, who was in big league camp on a minor league deal, hit 30 home runs in 2017 but has been slowed by multiple injuries ever since. He was 2-for-21 this spring with a home run.
The 31-year-old is a career .232 hitter over six seasons and 482 career games with 71 home runs and 203 RBIs for the Washington Nationals (2014), Tampa Bay Rays (2015-17), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018) and Chicago Cubs (2020).
Souza hit 30 home runs with 78 RBIs for the Rays in 2017 before he was traded to the Diamondbacks the following offseason. But a chest muscle injury limited him to 72 games in 2018. A devastating knee injury just before Opening Day ended his 2019 season.
The Astros also received right-handed prospect Jose Alberto Rivera back from the Los Angeles Angels. Rivera was a Rule 5 selection by the Angels out of the Astros organization this past winter, but had to make the Opening Day roster, and stay with the team all season, in order to remain in the Los Angeles organization. Rivera, 23, has not pitched above the low Single-A level.