Astros Place Bennett Sousa on IL Again as Pitching Depth Faces Early Test

The Houston Astros continued to adjust their roster on Saturday, placing left-handed reliever Bennett Sousa on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation ahead of their matchup against the Cincinnati Reds. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, signaling that the team hopes to minimize his time away from action.

In response, Houston recalled right-hander Jayden Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill the vacancy in the bullpen. The transaction reflects the Astros’ ongoing effort to manage pitching availability during a stretch of increased roster instability.

Sousa’s latest injury setback adds to a larger concern for the organization, which currently has 15 players on the injured list, including nine pitchers. That level of attrition has forced Houston to rely heavily on organizational depth early in the season.

For a team accustomed to contending in the American League, the growing list of pitching injuries presents an early test of roster flexibility and bullpen durability.

1. Sousa’s Injury and Recurring Setbacks

Sousa’s placement on the injured list comes after a brief return to the active roster following an earlier injury. He had begun the season on the IL while recovering from an oblique issue suffered during spring training. After being activated on April 25, Sousa appeared in five games for Houston, allowing three runs over 3 1/3 innings. His early-season ERA rose to 8.10 during that stretch as he worked to regain consistency. His most recent appearance came Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he delivered a scoreless inning on just eight pitches. That outing marked his third appearance in a four-day span before elbow discomfort resurfaced. Last season also featured injury interruptions for Sousa, as he missed the final month of the year due to a low-grade elbow flexor and pronator strain, despite previously serving as a reliable leverage option out of the bullpen.

2. Murray Returns as Bullpen Reinforcement

To help stabilize the bullpen, the Astros recalled Jayden Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land. The right-hander has already spent time with the major league club this season, giving the team a familiar option in relief. Murray made four appearances earlier in the year, posting a 6.00 ERA over six innings before being optioned back to Triple-A on May 3. His return gives Houston a flexible arm capable of handling multiple innings if needed. Across his MLB career, Murray has recorded a 3.06 ERA in 13 games, including one start. While his sample size remains limited, the Astros value his versatility and ability to cover innings in relief situations. Because his move qualifies as an injury replacement, Murray remains eligible to return under roster rules without restriction, providing Houston with additional short-term flexibility.

3. Additional Roster Moves and Injury Management

In addition to the bullpen changes, the Astros made several roster adjustments aimed at maintaining balance across the organization. The team claimed outfielder Rhylan Thomas off waivers from the Seattle Mariners and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land. The move adds organizational depth in the outfield while allowing Houston to evaluate Thomas in a lower-pressure environment before considering a future call-up. To open a spot on the 40-man roster, the Astros also transferred right-hander Hunter Brown to the 60-day injured list. The procedural move reflects the team’s ongoing effort to manage multiple long-term injuries simultaneously. With a significant portion of its pitching staff currently unavailable, Houston’s front office continues to rely on depth transactions and short-term call-ups to maintain roster functionality during the early stages of the season.