Houston Astros DFA Pitcher After 7 Appearances

April 22, 2026 ,
Houston Astros pitcher Christian Roa pitches during 2026 game.

The Houston Astros have designated right-hander Christian Roa for assignment.

The corresponding move was the selection of outfielder Daniel Johnson, who had recently signed a minor league deal with the club.

The reason for the shuffle is Taylor Trammell, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain.

Trammell becomes the 16th Astro currently on the injured list.

He had only been added to the roster about ten days ago as an emergency response to Jake Meyers going down.

Now Trammell himself is hurt, adding another name to a pile that already includes Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Joey Loperfido, Meyers, and Zach Dezenzo, among others.

What Roa's DFA Means

Roa, 27, signed a minor league deal with Houston in December and won a spot on the Opening Day roster with a sharp spring, allowing just one run over nine and two-thirds Grapefruit League innings without issuing a single walk.

He was a natural fit for a bullpen that was already stretched thin.

In his big league time this season, he threw 8.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits, seven walks, and three hit batters while striking out six.

The command issues that have followed him throughout his career never fully went away.

He was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land at one point and recalled when Brown went on the IL, then cycled back again as the Astros tried to keep fresh arms available.

Now he is out of options on the 40-man roster and in DFA limbo. The Astros can take up to five days to explore trade interest.

A former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Roa carries a 96 mph fastball and sinker with a mid-80s slider. His command has always been the issue, and it remains so now.

He has a 4.52 ERA in 171.1 innings at the Triple-A level.

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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