Blake

Taylor

Taylor had a 3.06 ERA in 92 appearances for the Astros from 2020-22, but he was a non-factor last year after rehabbing an elbow injury, winding up with a 5.15 ERA and a 25/22 K/BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings in Triple-A. If he bounces back, he might be of some use in the Rangers’ bullpen.

Houston has decided to move on from Taylor after he went unclaimed on waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Sugar Land. The 27-year-old lefty didn’t wind up pitching in the majors this season.

Taylor was designated for assignment earlier this week and will remain with the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old has yet to pitch in the majors this season and will continue to serve as depth for Houston.

Taylor has been removed from Houston’s 40-man roster following the club’s acquisition of reliever Jake Cousins from the Brewers. The 27-year-old lefty hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season.

Taylor had been with Triple-A Sugar Land on a minor league rehab assignment since the start of the regular season, and now he’ll hang out there a bit longer while he continues to build back up to full strength. He’ll get his chance to work out of the big league bullpen at some point during the 2023 campaign.

The left-hander battled his way back from an elbow injury that cut his 2022 season short -- and even made a few appearances at the end of spring training -- so he shouldn’t need too many outings at Triple-A before he’s ready to join the big league bullpen. Taylor registered a 3.94 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and a 9/10 K/BB ratio over 16 innings with the Astros during the 2022 campaign.

Taylor returned from the injury to make two appearances during the final week of the spring, but he’ll need some more time before becoming a bullpen candidate. Expect him to start making rehab appearances soon.

The Astros haven’t said much about it, but they’ve brought Taylor along slowly after last year’s elbow injury and they don’t intend to carry him on the active roster at the start of the year. It’s unclear whether he’ll wind up on the IL for a spell or just get optioned out.

It’s slightly more than MLB Trade Rumors annual projections anticipated for Taylor, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason. The 27-year-old lefty made 19 relief appearances last season for the Astros before suffering a season-ending left elbow injury in early June. He’s expected to be fully healthy for spring training.

Taylor is recovered from the left elbow injury that sent him to the IL back in early June, but the Astros don’t have a spot for him right now on their 28-man major league roster. He could get a shot at some point.