Astros Claim OF Alex Presley

The Houston Astros have claimed outfielder Alex Presley off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced today. To make room for Presley on the roster, the Astros designated LHP Raul Valdes for assignment.

Presley, 28, has played in parts of the last four seasons with the Twins (2013) and Pirates (2010-13), and owns a career .264 batting average (203x769) with 17 homers, 32 doubles, 15 triples, 60 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 232 games. A former eighth round pick by the Pirates in 2006, Presley has logged 204 games in the outfield in his Major League career, including 171 starts. Last year, the left-handed hitter posted a .276 average (51x185) while seeing time in center field (28g), left field (12g) and right field (12g) across 57 combined games between Pittsburgh and Minnesota.

With today's roster move, the Astros 40-man roster remains full.