Houston Astros claim Samuel Deduno off waivers from Minnesota Twins

Jul 31, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Samuel Deduno (21) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Samuel Deduno (21) delivers a pitch in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Right-hander Samuel Deduno is headed to Houston. The Astros claimed him outright off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, MLB.com‘s Rhett Bollinger reports.

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No trade was required as he was not claimed on revocable waivers. No ifs, ands or buts about it — Deduno is an Astro.

As a reliever this season, Deduno has a 3.21 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 22 walks in the 53 1/3 innings he has pitched. He has a 56 percent ground ball rate on his career, via Hard Ball Talk. Considering how little the Astros had to spend on the reliever, it’s a no-brainer — and the Astros love ground ball pitchers. On the other hand, it’s understandable why the Twins are ready to part ways with him.

Via Hard Ball Talk, D.J. Short writes:

"After playing a significant role for the Dominican Republic in last year’s World Baseball Classic, Deduno posted a 3.83 ERA over 18 starts with the Twins last season, though his secondary numbers weren’t all that impressive. The 31-year-old has split this season between the starting rotation and the bullpen, putting up a 4.60 ERA and 74/41 K/BB ratio in 92 innings over eight starts and 22 relief appearances."

Deduno will bring a 91 mph fastball, 82 mph curveball and 85 mpg change up, via BrooksBaseball.net.

Via the Houston Chronicle, the Astros don’t have an available 40-man roster spot but can make one by transferring Josh Zeid to the disabled list. Zeid is out for this season.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official MLB page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.