BEN GAMEL NEWS

Let go by Houston The Astros released Gamel on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Gamel re-signed with the Astros in February but failed to win a spot on the Opening Day roster after going 4-for-24 with four runs scored and eight strikeouts in spring training. Rather than going down to Triple-A Sugar Land, the 32-year-old outfielder will now search for another opportunity in free agency -- likely in the form of a minor-league contract.

51 MINS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Moves past back issue Gamel (back) started in right field and went 1-for-3 in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Cardinals in Grapefruit League play.

Impact Gamel was out of action for a little over a week due to a sore back, but the injury shouldn't derail his hopes of winning a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder. While he won't start Sunday's game against the Marlins, Gamel is listed as an available reserve on the lineup card and could make his fifth appearance of the spring, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Overcoming back issue Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Gamel (back) should be ready to return to Grapefruit League action Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Gamel has been sidelined by a sore back, but Espada said the injury is "nothing concerning." The 32-year-old is projected to open the 2025 season as a reserve outfielder in Houston.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Outfielder Ben Gamel agrees to $1.2 million, 1-year deal to remain with Houston Astros

Outfielder Ben Gamel is staying with the Houston Astros, agreeing to a $1.2 million, one-year contract

FEBRUARY 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remaining in Houston Gamel signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Astros on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Gamel joined the Astros in August via waivers last season, after which he slashed .259/.377/.362 with four RBI and 13 runs scored in 20 games before a fractured left fibula put an early end to his season in mid-September. The 32-year-old will look to earn a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster during spring training, likely competing with Zach Dezenzo for a bench role.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

MLB Free Agents List

MLB Free Agents List

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MLB Potential Free Agents List

MLB Potential Free Agents List

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moved to 60-day IL Gamel (fibula) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Impact It had already been reported that Gamel was unlikely to return this season, and this move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Sunday's starter Ryan Gusto.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Likely done for season Gamel (fibula) is not expected to return in 2024, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Most likely probably takes him out for the postseason," general manager Dana Brown said Sunda...

Impact Gamel found new life with Houston after being designated for assignment by the Mets in August, but a fractured left tibia will spell an early end to his campaign. The journeyman slashed .259/.377/.362 in 20 games with the Astros compared to .217/.400/.261 in 18 games with the Mets.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Astros place Ben Gamel on the injured list with a broken left leg

The Houston Astros have placed outfielder Ben Gamel on the 10-day injured list with a broken left leg, three days after he ran into the wall at Angel Stadium while making a running...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Placed on injured list The Astros placed Gamel on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left fibula fracture, retroactive to Sunday.

Impact Gamel was initially diagnosed with a left knee contusion after running into the outfield wall during Saturday's contest, but further evaluation confirmed he instead fractured his fibula. The Astros have yet to announce a return timeline for the 32-year-old, though it's possible his injury keeps him out of action for the rest of the regular season. Cesar Salazar was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Destined for IL Gamel (knee) will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Gamel hasn't been in the starting lineup the last two days after suffering a left knee contusion during Saturday's game, and the team has since decided that he'll require a trip to the injured list. Jason Heyward and Mauricio Dubon should see more chances in left field while Gamel is on the mend.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup Monday Gamel (knee) remains out of the lineup for Monday's contest in San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Gamel exited Saturday's game versus the Angels with a bruised left knee and will now miss a second straight start. He is considered day-to-day. Jason Heyward will play left field in Monday's series opener.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday with bruised knee Gamel (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact After exiting Saturday's 5-3 win in the sixth inning with a left knee contusion, Gamel will get at least one day off to rest the injury. Jason Heyward will take Gamel's spot in the outfield, manning left field while batting seventh in the series finale in Anaheim.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves game with knee injury Gamel left Saturday's game against the Angels due to a left knee contusion, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Gamel sustained the injury in the fourth inning, when he crashed into the right field wall fielding a catch off the bat of Mickey Moniak, per Rome. Gamel stayed in the game until Jason Heyward pinch hit for him in the sixth inning, and the former finished the contest 0-for-2.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting bench Thursday Gamel is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Dating back to Aug. 24, the lefty-hitting Gamel has started in 16 of the Astros' 18 games, but his absence from the lineup Thursday will be his first against a right-handed starting pitcher (Mitch Spence) during that span. With Chas McCormick (hand) going on the injured list Thursday and Kyle Tucker still limited to the designated-hitter spot following his recent return from the 60-day IL, Gamel should retain a near-everyday role in the Houston outfield even though his bat has cooled of late. Gamel has gone 3-for-23 (.130 average) thus far in September, though he's drawn eight walks while striking out just five times.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pops first homer Gamel went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over the Royals.

Impact The journeyman outfielder led off the bottom of the third inning by driving a Seth Lugo fastball the other way into the Crawford Boxes. It was Gamel's first homer of the season, and his first long ball since Oct. 2, 2022 when he was a Pirate -- the 32-year-old has played for three major-league teams since then, including the Astros. Gamel appears to be working on the strong side of a platoon right now with Mauricio Dubon, seeing action in nine straight games and batting .367 (11-for-30) with two doubles, three RBI and six runs, but he figures to lose playing time once Kyle Tucker (lower leg) is ready to come off the IL.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Astros take advantage of two errors in 4-run eighth to beat Royals 6-3

Zach Dezenzo drew a go-ahead bases-loaded walk and the Houston Astros took advantage of two Kansas City errors in a four-run eighth inning to beat the Royals 6-3

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taking over in left field Gamel went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored Wednesday against the Phillies.

Impact Gamel started his sixth straight game in right field and appears set for a large-side platoon role. In his first six games with Houston, Gamel has gone 10-for-23 with two RBI and four runs scored.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nabbing third straight start Gamel will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Phillies, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Gamel has now started in right field in four consecutive matchups with right-handed pitchers and seems to have settled into a strong side of a platoon at the position with either Chas McCormick or Mauricio Dubon (shoulder). Kyle Tucker (shin) should eventually take back an everyday role in right field, but he's without a clear timeline to return from the 60-day injured list. Gamel has gone 5-for-11 with two walks over his first four games since joining the Astros as a waiver pickup last week, and manager Joe Espada should continue to carve out a regular spot in the outfield for the journeyman while he's swinging a hot bat.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Newcomer Ben Gamel, Astros try for more success vs. O's The Houston Astros are adding to their contributors as they’ve continued to make an August impact in the American League postseason picture....

AUGUST 23, 2024 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

After Mariners fire their manager, the Astros extend their lead over Seattle to 5 1/2 games

On the day their closest challenger fired its manager, the Houston Astros took their biggest division lead of the season

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Astros are now 5 1/2 games up in the AL West after shutting out the Orioles 6-0

Spencer Arrighetti outpitched Corbin Burnes, Ben Gamel drove in two runs in his Houston debut and the Astros extended their lead in the AL West to a season-high 5 1/2 games with a...

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Claimed by Houston The Astros claimed Gamel off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday.

Impact Gamel collected a .217/.400/.261 slash line in 30 plate appearances for the Mets before being designated for assignment Sunday. He'll provide outfield depth for an Astros club that's still dealing with the absence of Kyle Tucker (shin). Houston will need to make a corresponding roster move once Gamel officially reports to the 26-man roster.

AUGUST 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment The Mets designated Gamel for assignment on Sunday.

Impact The 32-year-old joined the big-league roster in late June after Starling Marte (knee) landed on the 10-day injured list, but Marte is back with the Mets for Sunday's series finale against Miami. Gamel played in 18 games and had a .217/.400/.261 slash line in 30 plate appearances.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE