The Houston Astros are off to a strong start to the 2026 season.
However, they have already jettisoned their Rule 5 draft pick.
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Astros have waived reliever Roddery Muñoz.
Players can be placed on waivers while remaining on the 40-man roster, but it seems likely that the Astros plan to cut Muñoz. Either way, since he’ll no longer be on the 26-man roster, he will not return to the Astros.
If any team claims him, they would also be bound by the Rule 5 parameters. If he clears waivers, he would have to be offered back to the Cincinnati Reds, who could assign him to the minors without putting him on the 40-man roster.
Why Did the Houston Astros Cut Muñoz?
Muñoz is a former international signing from the Dominican Republic and has bounced around organizations.
He got his major league start with the Miami Marlins in 2024. That year, he pitched in 18 games (17 starts). In 82.2 innings, Muñoz pitched to a 6.53 ERA, walking 42 batters.
The next year, he found himself pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals, but fell out of favor after giving up 10 runs in 11 innings with nine walks.
The Reds selected him off waivers after last season.
Despite exceeding rookie limits, he was still eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this year, where Houston would pick him.
In spring training with Houston, he showed signs of life, giving up just five runs in 10 innings. He also would strike out 16 batters, walking just two.
However, he would struggle in limited play in 2026. In three games with the Astros, Muñoz would give up seven runs in just four innings, walking six batters and giving up three home runs.
Now, it should be a given that Muñoz will return to the Reds’ minor league roster. No team would likely add him to their 26-man roster given his struggles.
How Has the Season Been Going for Houston?
So far, the Astros lead the American League West with a 6-4 record. After splitting the first series of the season with the Los Angeles Angels, the team swept the Boston Red Sox.
After that, it was a little rocky for the Astros. They lost their series to the Athletics, who have struggled. In the process, they gave up 23 runs in their two losses to the A’s, sparking concern over their pitching.
This is likely why they gave up on Muñoz, as he gave up five of his seven earned runs in 1.1 innings against the A’s.
With star pitcher Hunter Brown out for the foreseeable future and former ace Framber Valdez now on the Detroit Tigers, the Astros will have to improve on their pitching to win a weak division.
Houston will play the Colorado Rockies next in what should be a must-win series for the Astros.
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