Injuries & Moves: Tucker traded to Cubs for three players
This roster moves and injury updates page will be updated throughout the offseason as news happens.
LATEST NEWS
Dec. 13: 3B Isaac Paredes, RHP Hayden Wesneski and 3B prospect Cam Smith (No. 73 on Pipeline's Top 100) acquired from Cubs in exchange for OF Kyle Tucker
The Astros pulled off a stunning trade with the Cubs, sending three-time All-Star and former Gold Glove-winning right fielder to the Cubs for three players. Paredes split last season between the Rays and Cubs, who acquired him in a trade in July. As an All-Star last season, he slashed .238/.346/.739 with 64 runs, 25 doubles, 19 home runs, 80 RBIs in 153 games between the Rays and Cubs.
Wesneski will join Houston’s rotation after posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and .215 opponents’ batting average while splitting time in ’24 between the rotation and bullpen. Smith, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, hit .313/.396/.609 in 32 games combined between Single-A Myrtle Beach, High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee. He’ll play third, first and right field in the Houston system, where he is now the highest-ranked player.
INJURY UPDATES
UT Mauricio Dubón (left thumb surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Dubón underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb Oct. 9 and is expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training. He suffered the injury sliding into first base on a single Sept. 6 and played with pain during the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
Dubón, 30, appeared in a career-high 137 games in 2024, hitting .269 with 25 doubles, four home runs and a career-best 47 RBIs. A Gold Glove winner in 2023 and finalist in '24, he became the first player in franchise history to start at seven different positions in the same season: 44 in left field, 18 in center field, 11 in right field, 13 at second base, nine at first base, nine at third base and six at shortstop. (Last updated: Oct. 31)
RHP Penn Murfee (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Murfee had a setback as he tried to ramp up for the end of the 2024 season, but was throwing to hitters by the end of the regular season and should compete for a bullpen spot next year. Murfee, who was claimed off waivers on March 27 from the Braves, last pitched in the big leagues for the Mariners in 2023, posting a 1.29 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. As a rookie in '22, he appeared in 64 games for Seattle and posted a 2.99 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. (Last updated: Oct. 4)
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (right forearm surgery)
Expected return: 2025
McCullers had surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur, but suffered a setback in July 2024 and was shut down for the season. He hasn't pitched since the 2022 World Series. McCullers still wasn't throwing when the season ended on early October. (Last updated: Oct. 4)
RHP Cristian Javier (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: July 2025
Javier, who underwent Tommy John surgery on June 6, could return by the end of July 2025, GM Dana Brown said on Oct. 3. The right-hander was 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts with the Astros this year, including three quality starts. Javier was moved to the 60-day IL on June 16. (Last updated: Oct. 4)
RHP José Urquidy (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: July 2025
Urquidy, who underwent Tommy John surgery on June 5, could return by the end of July 2025, GM Dana Brown said on Oct. 4. He was pulled out of his May 24 rehab start at Triple-A after experiencing right forearm inflammation and shut down for the rest of 2024. (Last updated: Oct. 4)