HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Astros are set to face the Oakland Athletics on Monday night, welcoming back a familiar face to their roster.
The team, now co-leaders of the American League West following a successful weekend in Seattle, announced that Aledmys Díaz has been added to the major league roster, while Grae Kessinger has been sent to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Díaz, who will wear No. 12 this time, is slated to start at first base in the series opener against Oakland. Previously, he wore No. 16 during his initial stint with the Astros.
In a corresponding move, the Astros designated David Hensley for assignment.
Houston signed Díaz to a minor-league deal on July 13, shortly after he was released by Oakland. The 33-year-old Cuban native, a former All-Star and versatile player, is a nine-year MLB veteran who spent four seasons with the Astros starting in 2019.
The Astros announced on social media: “TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have selected IF Aledmys Díaz (#12) to the Major League roster and have optioned IF Grae Kessinger to Triple A Sugar Land. In a corresponding move, the Astros designated IF David Hensley for assignment.”
Díaz, primarily an infielder, was part of Houston’s 2022 World Championship team and had previously signed a free-agent deal with the Athletics in 2023. He also played for the Astros during their 2019 and 2021 World Series runs.
Díaz’s return to the Astros resulted in Hensley’s departure. Drafted by the Astros in 2018, Hensley played a key role during the 2022 championship season, notably being hit by a pitch in Game 1 of the ALDS, which set up Yordan Alvarez’s walk-off home run. Hensley has spent this season with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Meanwhile, Yordan Alvarez added another milestone to his impressive resume by hitting for the cycle during Sunday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Alvarez hit a single, home run, triple, and double in that order.
A fan, Amy Franz, who caught Alvarez’s historic home run ball, took to social media to return the ball to Alvarez. She posted, “Dear @astros @Mariners I have Yordan Alvarez Home Run Ball. It’s worth more to him than me being as he hit for the cycle. Please find a way for me to get it to him.”
MLB.com reported that Alvarez was able to retrieve his double and home run balls. In appreciation, Alvarez gifted Franz an autographed ball and took a photo with her.
Franz said, “I was able to congratulate Yordan and give him the piece of history that he earned. I did not ask for anything in return, but he made sure that I received an autographed ball to show his appreciation.”
Amid the intense division race, the Astros and their fans praised Franz for her gesture, with many retweeting and replying to her posts. One user, @chrish23, said, “@astros fan here, but mad props to you Amy. That’s a class move … my respect for Mariners fans.”
