The Houston Astros reportedly have no plans to sign a former New York Yankees veteran following the player's release this week.
On Wednesday, the New York Yankees released veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu, who had been reduced to a bench role and struggling at the plate over the last couple of seasons.
With the 2025 MLB season now at the midway point, teams will be looking for depth to compensate for injuries or to give certain players a day off. As a result, LeMahieu should be able to latch onto a team to finish the season.
However, one destination that the 36-year-old will reportedly not be heading to is the Houston Astros.
TV host and former FOX Sports Houston's Will Kunkel reported on Saturday, citing a source, that the Astros are not pursuing the former Yankees infielder.
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From 2021 to 2025, DJ LeMahieu has hit no better than .268, a noticeable drop-off compared to his first two seasons with the Yankees, when he batted .327 in 2019 and .364 in 2020.
Houston has a veteran playing second base in the 35-year-old Jose Altuve. The Astros need a quality backup to give the Venezuelan the time off required so he can be fresh for a potential postseason run.
While a veteran who has seen major league pitching would be ideal, the Astros opted to give their top prospect, Brice Matthews, a shot at playing second base rather than going for an option outside the organization.
Matthews made his MLB debut Friday in a 7-3 loss to the Texas Rangers, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Despite the rough start, Houston is backing the young second baseman.
"I just want him to build from that last at-bat," manager Joe Espada said (h/t ESPN). "He hit that ball hard. You could take a lot of positives from today. No. 1 I thought he handled himself really well, had confidence and he was asking the right questions in between at-bats, and also seeing how they're going to attack [him]. There was a lot to learn from that first game."
If the Astros are willing to be patient with Matthews, then it makes sense why they won't go after a veteran major leaguer like LeMahieu to give Altuve a break at second base.
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