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The Astros added two major pieces to their 40-man roster over the past week. Houston signed Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel and promoted top prospect Alex Bregman. In order to make room for both players, the Astros had to cut a few players.
The Astros designated infielder Matt Duffy to make room for Gurriel on July 16. The Rangers claimed Duffy on Saturday.
IF Matt Duffy has been claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 23, 2016
Duffy, 27, was drafted in 2011 draft by the Astros out of Tennessee. He was the 2015 Pacific Coast League MVP, batting .294 (144x490) with 29 doubles, 20 home runs, and 104 RBIs in 127 games. He played 11 games between 2015 and 2016 with the Astros.
He has struggled with Triple-A Fresno this season, batting .226 (60x266) with 6 home runs and 30 RBIs in 74 games. At this point appears to be a nice waiver pickup for the Rangers as Adrian Beltre insurance.
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To make room for Bregman, the Astros designated Danny Worth for assignment on Monday.
In a corresponding move, Danny Worth has been designated for assignment.
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 24, 2016
Worth, 30, a journeyman minor league player spent much of his career in the Tigers system before spending a year with the Diamondbacks and signing a minor league contract with the Astros this spring.
Worth earned his way on to the Astros major league roster, batting .340 (65x191) with 22 extra-base hits and 36 RBIs in 54 games with Triple-A Fresno.
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Marwin Gonzalez exited Sunday's game against the Angels after stepping on first base awkwardly.
Gonzalez noted he had a sprained ankle and he is day-to-day in a talk with the Houston Chronicle's Jake Kaplan:
"It was bothering me a little bit after I was out of the game," Gonzalez said of his ankle. "Let's see how I feel (Monday). I'm going to be day-to-day."