Astros Announce Roster Shake Up Ahead of Royals Series

The Houston Astros got off the mat in their series against the Oakland Athletics, winning the final game of the three-game set after dropping the first two.

That win trimmed their magic number in the AL West as they continue to chase their third consecutive divisional title.

The Astros hit the road for a weekend series against MLB's worst team, the Kansas City Royals starting Friday.

Ahead of that matchup, Houston announced a shake up to their roster.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, reliever Bennett Sousa has been called up to the active roster after optioning Parker Mushinksi to their Triple-A affiliate.

Sousa was previously claimed off of waivers after the Detroit Tigers designated him for assignment on Sept. 1. The left hander has made two appearances for the Astros' Triple-A team Sugar Land Space Cowboys, throwing two hitless innings.

The 28-year-old last played in a Major League game with the Milwaukee Brewers on June 6. His lone two appearances in 2023 have seen him pitch 2.2 innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits.

Mushinksi has been back and forth between Houston's MLB roster and Sugar Land this season. His latest stint with the Astros saw him give up two earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched.

Mushinksi was the franchise's seventh round pick in 2017 and made his Major League debut in 2022. He's only appeared in 21 games for the team in his career, having an ERA of 4.91 across his 22 innings pitched.

Sousa has mainly been a Minor League pitcher throughout his career, but has shown to be a high strikeout guy at that level, averaging 1.29 strikeouts per inning.