HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have signed RHP Joel Kuhnel and RHP Drew Strotman to minor league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Dana Brown.
Kuhnel, 28, returns to the organization after finishing his 2023 season with the Astros. He appeared in seven games for Houston last year, posting a 4.66 ERA (5ER/9.2IP). He also made 17 appearances with Triple A Sugar Land, going 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA (11ER/19.2IP). Kuhnel was designated for assignment on Jan. 4, cleared waivers and elected free agency. He returns to the Astros on a minor league contract.
Strotman, 27, a former fourth-round pick of the Rays, spent his entire 2023 season at Triple A Sacramento in the Giants organization. He’s pitched parts of six minor league seasons (2017-19, 2021-23), compiling a 24-20 career record with a 5.01 ERA. The Astros will be his fifth career organization after spending time with Tampa Bay (2017-21), Minnesota (2021-22), Texas (2022) and San Francisco (2023).
Including the additions of Kuhnel and Strotman, the Astros will now have 24 non-roster invitees, and a full 40-man roster, for a total of 64 players at Major League Spring Training. The full roster is attached to this release.
The Astros will hold their first official Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches complex in West Palm Beach, FL, on Wednesday, Feb. 14. The first official workout for the entire squad is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19.
Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images