Alex Presley clears waivers; accepts assignment to Triple A

Outfielder Alex Presley has cleared waivers and will be assigned to Triple A Fresno, reports Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal:

Alex Presley, designated for assignment by #Astros, passed through waivers, unclaimed. Will be outrighted to minors.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 8, 2015

Presley will accept assignment to Triple A with #Astros rather than forfeit $1M salary and become a free agent.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 8, 2015

As noted by Rosenthal, Presley accepted the assignment to keep $1 million contract with the Astros. The Astros avoided arbitration this offseason and agreed on the one-year contract with Presley. If Presley had elected free agency, he would have more than likely had to sign for the veteran minimum of $500,000.

The Astros claimed Presley off waivers just before Opening Day last season from the Twins. He appeared in 89 games for the Astros in 2014, batting .244 with 13 XBHs, 22 R, 5 SB, and 19 RBI. He appeared to turning a corner with the team, when he went down with an oblique injury. Presley wasn't able to get back into the lineup until the final weeks of the season.

Robbie Grossman and Jonathan Villar beat out Presley for an Opening Day roster spot. Presley now sits in Triple A, as the first man up if there is an injury to the outfield and/or if Villar or Grossman stumble.