Astros release pitcher Brady Rodgers

Two days after the Astros designated him for assignment, Brady Rodgers cleared waivers and was given his unconditional release. The righthander is now a free agent.

The 28-year-old Rodgers was Houston’s third-round pick during the 2012 draft. He garnered both Pacific Coast League and Astros minor league pitcher of the year honors in 2016, the same season in which he made his major league debut.

Rodgers, a Lamar Consolidated graduate, had two separate stints in the major leagues that totaled 13 ⅓ innings. Tommy John surgery in 2017 derailed his rise within the organizational hierarchy. He threw five major league innings this season and allowed four home runs.