Astros sign OF Jason Heyward, activate RHP Ryan Pressly (back)

The Houston Astros signed free agent outfielder Jason Heyward and activated right-hander Ryan Pressly when he was eligible Thursday to come off the 15-day disabled list after straining his lower back.

In other moves, the Astros optioned outfielder Chas McCormick and rookie left-hander Bryan King to Triple-A Sugar Land and designated right-hander Janson Junk for assignment.

Heyward, a 15-year veteran, was designated for assignment last week by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Astros can use reinforcements in the outfield, with three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker sidelined since June 3 with a right shin contusion, though the team hopes he will return next month.

Heyward, 35, is batting .208 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games in 2024.

He is a career .257 hitter with 180 homers and 709 RBIs in 1,766 games with the Atlanta Braves (2010-14), St. Louis Cardinals (2015), Chicago Cubs (2016-22) and Dodgers.

Heyward has played in 43 postseason games and won the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.

Atlanta drafted Heyward in the first round (14th overall) in 2007, and he made his only All-Star team as a rookie in 2010. He won five Gold Gloves in right field (2012, 2014-17).

Pressly, 35, is 0-3 with two saves, a 3.86 ERA, 16 walks and 49 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings over 49 relief appearances this season.

He had yielded five earned runs, 12 hits and five walks in his last seven games before going on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 14. He has a 7.20 ERA in August (five games).

Pressly threw 25 pitches in live batting practice on Monday, increasing his chances of being ready for Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals.

A two-time All-Star (2019, 2021), Pressly in 33-36 with 110 saves and a 3.29 ERA in 613 relief appearances in 12 seasons for the Minnesota Twins (2013-18) and Astros (2018-present).

McCormick, 29, is batting .192 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 87 games this season. He is 4-for-41 (.098) in August.

King, 27, is 1-0 with a 2.05 ERA, nine walks and 27 strikeouts in 22 innings over 23 relief appearances since making his major league debut on June 23.

Junk, 28, had been selected off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 2 and had not pitched for Houston. He was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in eight innings over five relief appearances for the Brewers this season.

--Field Level Media