Astros add righty Velázquez from Orioles

The Astros acquired right-hander Hector Velázquez from the Orioles on Wednesday for a player to be named later. Velázquez has been sent to the Astros’ alternate training site in Corpus Christi, Tex.

The 31-year-old Velázquez pitched for the Red Sox from 2017-19, recording a 3.90 ERA in 89 appearances, including 19 starts. He had a 5.43 ERA last season. The righty was part of Baltimore’s 60-man player pool when rosters were first set, but was outrighted and removed from the pool on July 24. The Orioles acquired him off waivers from Boston in March.

Velázquez will provide some pitching depth for the Astros, with Justin Verlander, Joe Biagini, Austin Pruitt, Brad Peacock and Jose Urquidy on the injured list, Joe Smith on the restricted list, and both Ryan Pressly and Chris Devenski dealing with elbow soreness.