Houston Astros release first baseman José Abreu

The Houston Astros have released first baseman José Abreu, the team announced Friday.

Abreu, who signed a three-year free agency contract in 2022 worth $58.5 million, is still owed more than $30 million of that contract, per multiple reports. Houston will eat the cost as a result of letting Abreu go.

The move comes soon after the Astros optioned Abreu to the minors in April after a dismal start, with Abreu averaging 0.099. The Cuban infielder and designated hitter has slumped horribly this season, currently boasting a .124 average, a .361 OPS and two home runs.

Abreu struggled in his first season in Houston, averaging an average of .237 that was a career-low prior to the 2024 season. Before going to Houston, Abreu had posted an average of .304 with the Chicago White Sox in 2022.

The Astros are currently 31-38, and sit third in a dismally bad AL West.