Astros shore up bullpen, bring Tayler Scott up as Jordan Weems hits DFA
The Houston Astros announced a roster move on the back end of a rough week, selecting right-hander Tayler Scott to their major league roster while designating fellow right-hander Jordan Weems for assignment. The moves were reported by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.
Weems, who had just been added to Houston’s roster a few days earlier, made two appearances for the club. His first outing was clean, tossing a scoreless inning against the Orioles. But his second appearance went sideways as Houston trailed 7-0 through seven innings. Weems faced seven batters, didn’t retire any, and walked three while surrendering three hits. Five runs scored in the frame as the Astros ultimately lost 12-0. By game’s end, Houston used six pitchers plus a mop-up inning from Chas McCormick. With the move, Weems was removed from the 40-man roster and will be exposed to waivers after the trade deadline has passed. He previously cleared waivers in July, elected free agency, and then re-signed with the Astros on a minor league deal. If he clears waivers again, he could be in line for another round of minor league deals or free agency.
Scott, who is also out of options, has been a fringe bullpen arm this season. He opened the year with Houston but struggled enough to lose his spot, spent time with Arizona, and eventually returned to the Astros on a minor league deal about six weeks ago. He has logged 11 innings at Triple-A this season with a 4.91 ERA. In the big leagues this year, Scott owns a 6.66 ERA over 25 2/3 innings. By contrast, he was more effective in 2024, posting a 2.23 ERA. He benefited in that season from a lower-than-average batting average on balls in play and a high strand rate, but his 2025 numbers represented a step back. With his out-of-options status, Scott’s roster spot will depend on how he performs in the opportunity Houston gives him going forward, but the club is hoping a fresh arm can help solidify late-inning duties.
Overall, the moves give Houston a new bullpen option while potentially reshuffling the 40-man landscape as the club navigates the remainder of its season schedule. Scott’s prior major league experience and past effectiveness offer a glimmer of upside if he can rediscover his form, while the Weems DFA marks a reminder of how quickly roster spots turn over in a bullpen with limited margin for error.
Summary: Houston adds Tayler Scott to the bullpen and designates Jordan Weems for assignment, reflecting a late-season shuffle tolock in fresh depth while evaluating options at the margin. Weems’ DFA and Scott’s opportunity could influence the club’s bullpen dynamics in the short term.
Additional context: This kind of post-deadline bullpen adjustment is common as teams refine their rosters for late-season action, aiming to balance experience, left-right considerations, and potential bounce-back performances from pitchers who have battled inconsistency. If Scott can regain his 2024 form, he could serve as a valuable depth piece; if Weems clears waivers, Houston will explore minor league or free-agent avenues to maintain flexible pitching options.