TORONTO -- The Astros placed reliever Bryan Abreu on the restricted list ahead of Monday’s opener against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre as the right-hander takes care of a personal matter.
Manager Joe Espada said the Astros “are giving Abreu some time” to tend to the matter when asked if Abreu could return for Houston’s upcoming series in Detroit beginning Thursday.
The Astros recalled Logan VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move to fill the open bullpen spot.
MLB’s restricted list is for players under contract who aren’t able to play for personal or non-baseball reasons. There is no limit to how long a player can stay on the restricted list, but Abreu isn’t paid and doesn’t earn service time while on it.
Abreu last pitched for Houston on June 20 against the Guardians, throwing a scoreless ninth inning in an 8-1 loss. The 29-year-old righty has a 6.39 ERA in 25 1/3 innings this season.
Despite some early struggles, Abreu has rounded into form of late for the Astros, looking more like the elite reliever he was in the previous four years -- when he had a 2.30 ERA across 281 2/3 IP (275 games) between 2022-25. In his last seven appearances, Abreu had surrendered just one earned run and one walk while striking out eight.
VanWey, meanwhile, will return to the team after a successful stint in the Minor Leagues. After being optioned on June 1, the right-hander recorded a 1.93 ERA with seven strikeouts in six appearances.
The 27-year-old has made three scoreless appearances with the Astros over two Major League stints this season, striking out five and allowing just one hit with no walks.