The Houston Astros have acquired Cuban Minor League infielder/outfielder Yordan Alvarez from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Josh Fields. The announcement was made by Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow.
Alvarez, 19, was signed earlier this year by the Dodgers as an international free agent on June 15, 2016, out of Las Tunas, Cuba. The 6-foot-4, left-handed-hitting first baseman/outfielder last played for Las Tunas in Cuba's Serie Nacional in 2014, hitting .351 (39-for-111) with 17 RBIs in 40 games as a 17-year-old. He has two years of professional experience in Cuba (2013-14).
"Alvarez is a player with exciting offensive upside," said Astros director of pro scouting Kevin Goldstein. "He has excellent power for a teenager, as well as a feel to hit. He has also demonstrated great athleticism for a player of his size."
Fields, 30, has spent most of his season at Triple-A Fresno, where he's posted a 1-0 record with one save and a 1.65 ERA (5 ER/27.1 IP) in 23 games. He made 15 appearances for the Astros this season before being optioned to Triple-A on May 12.
With the removal of Fields, the Astros now have 38 players on their 40-man roster.