Astros promote Lucas Spence to bolster left-handed outfield depth ahead of trade deadline
General Manager Dana Brown’s strategy to address offensive deficiencies sees Spence called up from Triple-A Sugar Land following roster moves involving Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon.
The Houston Astros have promoted outfield prospect Lucas Spence from Triple-A Sugar Land to the major league roster, a move designed to inject left-handed hitting depth into the lineup ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. The 23-year-old, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024, is scheduled to make his major league debut in centre field against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.
The promotion was necessitated by the placement of Brice Matthews on the 10-day injured list with a left knee sprain. Matthews sustained the injury while leaping for a drive at the wall during Sunday’s series finale against the Texas Rangers. While Matthews is undergoing rehabilitation and remains optimistic about a speedy recovery, manager Joe Espada noted there is no set timeline for his return.
Spence’s call-up coincides with significant roster adjustments made by General Manager Dana Brown. The Astros created 40-man roster space following the trades of pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon to the Milwaukee Brewers. Additionally, reliever Kai-Wei Teng was reinstated from the injured list, allowing the club to option Alimber Santa back to Triple-A.
Spence has demonstrated strong offensive performance throughout the 2025 season, beginning at Double-A Corpus Christi with a .269/.371/.433 slash line before posting a .699 OPS in 17 games at Triple-A. Espada highlighted Spence’s ability to hit the ball hard and use the whole field, noting that the prospect provides a spark that the team has sought. Brown has previously identified the need for a left-handed hitting outfielder as a primary organisational requirement.
The Astros’ outfield unit recorded the third-worst OPS and lowest on-base percentage in the majors before the All-Star break. Spence joins LaMonte Wade Jr. and Taylor Trammell as left-handed options, with Espada indicating Spence can be deployed at all three outfield positions. Meanwhile, pitchers Ronel Blanco and Bennett Sousa, who are nearing activation from the injured list, participated in pregame work and may rejoin the roster soon.
