Ben

Gamel

Gamel split his 2025 season between the Tigers’ and Angels’ organizations where he slashed a healthy .281/.402/.539 with 10 homers, 26 RBI, two swipes and a 58/33 K/BB ratio over 214 plate appearances mostly at the Triple-A level. Given his strong defensive chops, there’s a chance that he could push for a reserve spot on the Braves’ Opening Day roster with a strong showing during Grapefruit League action.

Gamel bolsters Los Angeles’ outfield depth at Triple-A Salt Lake after being cut loose a couple weeks ago by the Tigers. The 33-year-old journeyman outfielder hasn’t appeared in the big leagues this season, but he’s gotten into a whopping 723 contests dating back to 2016.

Gamel has been on the injured list since April 25. The 33-year-old signed on just before the start of the season to a minor-league contract, but now will be looking for a new home.

Gamel was released by the Astros Saturday, and he finds a new home shortly after. He’ll likely head to Triple-A Toledo, and a good showing there could give him a chance to help Detroit off the bench this spring.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Luis Guillorme and Miguel Castro have been told they won’t make Houston’s season-opening roster, but they’re presumably sticking around at Triple-A Sugar Land. It’s undoubtedly a positive development for both Brendan Rodgers and top prospect Cam Smith that two likely bench options aren’t making the club’s Opening Day roster.

Gamel has been sidelined since Thursday because of back spasms, and the team has called the injury “nothing concerning.” Gamel stands a good chance of beginning the 2025 season with the Astros assuming good health and a decent showing in Florida over the final three-plus weeks.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Saturday that Trammell has a right calf strain and is expected to be out “a while.” The 27-year-old former top prospect now faces an uphill battle to make the Houston roster, and Ben Gamel is likely the “beneficiary” of the injury with a much stronger chance of joining the Astros out of Florida.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Trammel will be out a little while with the injury, which should greatly improve veteran journeyman Ben Gamel’s odds of making Houston’s season-opening roster as a reserve outfielder.

The deal is now official. Gamel returns to Houston as extra corner outfield depth behind incumbents Chas McCormick and Taylor Trammell. The 32-year-old journeyman is expected to be ready for spring training after fracturing his fibula last September and will presumably compete for at-bats in right field. He’s gotten into 723 games at the highest level dating back to 2016.

Passan adds that $1 million of the agreement is non-guaranteed. Gamel returns to Houston where he posted a .739 OPS with one homer in 20 contests last year before suffering a season-ending fractured fibula in mid-September. The 32-year-old veteran, who has gotten into 723 contests at the highest level dating back to 2016, provides the Astros with some extra corner outfield depth to pair with in-house right field options Chas McCormick and Taylor Trammell.