Sources: Ryan Pressly, Astros in agreement on contract extension

Reliever Ryan Pressly and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a two-year, $30 million contract extension, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The deal includes a 2025 vesting option that can make the deal worth up to $42 million.

The contract extension puts Pressly, 33, in the top-5 highest paid relievers in terms of AAV and is the largest contract ever for an Astros reliever. Pressly is represented by Scott Lonergan of the Ballengee Group.

Houston Astros extend closer Ryan Pressly

Pressly emerged as the Astros’ closer in 2021, posting a 2.67 ERA and 81/13 strikeout-to-walk ratio while compiling 26 saves in 64 innings. By appearing in at least 60 games last season, his $10 million option for the 2022 automatically vested, and he should see a similar workload this season while remaining in the ninth inning.

In his first outing during spring training, Pressly’s fastball averaged only 92.4 mph, down three mph from last season (95.4). He expressed confidence that there was no issue, saying: “Relievers run off adrenaline and there’s no adrenaline here. … I’m not really worried about velocity. I’d rather be 92, 94 than 97, 98 all over the place.”

Pressly passed his physical on Tuesday.