Houston Astros Sign 7-Year Veteran Outfielder
The Astros are signing LaMonte Wade Jr. to a major league deal worth $1 million in base salary, DFA'ing outfielder Rhylan Thomas and catcher Cesar Salazar to clear roster space.
The Astros are signing outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. to a major-league deal, per @Chandler_Rome
— SleeperAstros (@SleeperAstros) June 4, 2026
Wade has started the year in Triple-A this season, batting .250 with a .861 OPS in 152 ABs. pic.twitter.com/LCstKXFnPV
The Road to Houston
Wade, 32, entered 2026 on a White Sox minor league deal after a difficult 2025 in which he hit just .167 with two home runs across 80 games split between the Giants and Angels.
He had a strong spring for Chicago, slashing .289/.429/.605 with three home runs, but did not make the Opening Day roster and opted out of his minor league deal in March.
The White Sox re-signed him days later and assigned him to Triple-A Charlotte, where he hit .250/.420/.441 with seven home runs and a .861 OPS across 46 games before being released on June 1.
Lamonte Wade Jr.'s last 72 hours ⬇️⌛️
— Max Zepeda (@MaxZepedaSports) June 4, 2026
Monday - In Charlotte, opted out of his contract
Tuesday - In Charlotte, received a phone call confirming #Astros signing
Yesterday - flew into Houston around 10 PM CT
Today - at Daikin Park
"That's baseball." - Wade@OurEsquina #MLB https://t.co/ILRQyvN9R7 pic.twitter.com/qMBvxzLjyg
Houston made the call three days later.
Wade was a fixture in the Giants' lineup from 2021 through early 2025, and his best season came in 2023 when he hit .256 with 17 home runs and 45 RBIs across a career-high 135 games.
The Astros have Christian Walker at first base and Yordan Alvarez at DH, leaving left field and bench depth as the primary openings in a lineup that has been thin on left-handed options.
Wade bats left, can play left field and first base, and has a career .370 on-base percentage that plays in any lineup willing to get him plate appearances.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
