Yuli Gurriel, the former Houston Astros player, will be returning to Minute Maid Park for the first time since Game 2 of the 2022 World Series. However, he won’t be playing for the Astros this time. The Kansas City Royals recently completed a trade with the Atlanta Braves to acquire Gurriel, who had been playing on a minor-league deal. The trade was possible because Gurriel had yet to make it to the major league level in 2024. In a surprising turn of events, Gurriel will be starting as the designated hitter for the Royals when they face off against Houston on Sunday.
So, how did this unexpected homecoming for Gurriel come about, and what has he been doing since leaving the Astros after their World Series win? Gurriel’s final game with Houston was marred by a right knee injury in Game 5 of the 2022 World Series, which prevented him from playing in the clinching game in Houston.
In the 2023 offseason, the Astros decided to upgrade their first base position by signing free agent Jose Abreu to a three-year, $58.5 million contract. This signing effectively pushed Gurriel, who was also a free agent, out of the picture. Gurriel then signed a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins for the 2023 season, where he played in 108 games and made a pinch-hit appearance in one postseason game.
For the 2024 season, Gurriel found himself back on the market and eventually signed with the Braves organization two weeks into the regular season. The Braves, who are currently in a close race with the Phillies for the National League East title, seemed to be preparing for a Gurriel call-up as he took reps as a second and third baseman in Triple-A.
However, everything changed when the Royals’ first baseman, Vinnie Pasquantino, broke his thumb during their series in Houston. This injury made Gurriel an attractive option for the postseason-contending Kansas City team. He was reportedly traded to the Royals in exchange for cash considerations.
Gurriel’s return to Minute Maid Park coincides with the expansion of major league rosters from 26 to 28 players for the last month of the season. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros have found success with waiver-wire claim Ben Gamel and free agent Jason Heyward, both outfielders who have filled in for the injured Kyle Tucker. Additionally, the Astros have added Cesar Salazar, a catcher, and Forrest Whitley, a pitcher, from the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Salazar made his major league debut in 2023 and last played with the Astros on July 11 of this year. Whitley, a native of San Antonio, made his debut on April 16, 2024, after spending eight seasons in the Astros’ minor-league system. However, he has not played since then.
As for the Astros’ current standing, they hold a five-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the American League West. They will be heading to Cincinnati for a series opener on Monday, followed by an off day on Tuesday, and then will resume the series with the Reds on Wednesday.
In terms of the postseason, the Astros are also in the conversation for a wild-card spot. They are currently three games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the second seed in the American League. The two teams will face off in a series at the end of this month.
In conclusion, Yuli Gurriel’s return to Minute Maid Park as a member of the Kansas City Royals marks a surprising twist in his career. After leaving the Astros, he had stints with the Marlins and the Braves before finding himself in Kansas City. Meanwhile, the Astros have made some roster moves and are currently leading their division. They are also in contention for a wild-card spot as the season enters its final month.
