Right-hander Jake Odorizzi and the Houston Astros have agreed on a two-year deal with a player option, a source familiar with the deal told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Saturday.
The Astros have already lost the starter, Framber Valdez, indefinitely after his left hand had a broken left finger during his spring practice debut on Tuesday.
Houston is also without bait Justin Verlander, who is likely to miss the entire season after having surgery on Tommy John on Sept. 30.
Odorizzi will take part in a rotation that will likely feature Zack Greinke, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jose Urquidy.
Following the acceptance of a $ 17.8 million qualifying offer from Minnesota Twins last season, Odorizzi, who turns 31 on March 31, was limited to four starts in 2020 due to bruised ribs and a blister, which went 0-1 going with a 6.59 ERA. in 13⅔ innings.
His losing season began when he was drilled in the third time by a line drive from the bat of Alex Gordon, Kansas City. He returned in September, only to leave after 3⅔ overs with blisters that would be in his final outing for the season.
Odorizzi started 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 30 in 2019, when he earned his first All-Star pick. He reached career highs for wins and strikeouts (178) when the twins scored 101 wins and their first division title since 2010.
He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 with the 32nd overall pick. He made his Kansas City Royals debut in 2012 before being named to the Tampa Bay Rays next season alongside Mike Montgomery and Wil Myers in the seven-player series. James Shields and Wade Davis sent to the Royals. He was traded to Minnesota before the 2018 season after reporting four solid years as an appetizer for the Rays.
Odorizzi is 62-56 with an ERA of 3.92 and 995 beats in 1,042 overs.