February 5, 2025
Free-agent outfielder
Ben Gamel (leg) and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal on Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gamel's deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus, with the remaining $1 million being non-guaranteed. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder began the 2024 season with the New York Mets and played in only 18 games before eventually joining Houston to close out the year. Gamel played in only 20 games with the Astros and finished the year on the 60-day injured list due to a fibula injury. In total, he appeared in only 38 big-league games and went 20-for-81 (.247) with a homer, four RBI and one stolen base. In spring training this year, Gamel will merely be trying to win an Opening Day roster spot as outfield depth behind the likes of
Yordan Alvarez,
Mauricio Dubon,
Chas McCormick and
Jake Meyers, among others.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
September 23, 2024
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on KBME-AM in Houston on Sunday that outfielder
Ben Gamel (leg) is likely done for the year due to a left-fibula fracture. Gamel injured his knee running into the fall to make a catch against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 14. "Most likely probably takes him out for the postseason," Brown said. "It's really a shame because he was playing really well." The 32-year-old came to Houston after being cut from the New York Mets' roster. He ended up playing in just 38 total games in 2024 and hit .247 (20-for-81) with one homer and four RBI in 99 plate appearances with the Mets and Astros. He was much better in his 20 games in Houston, batting .259 (15-for-58) with a homer and four RBI. With Gamel out for the rest of the way as the club gets set for another playoff appearance, the left-handed-hitting
Jason Heyward will benefit from platoon work in the outfield.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
September 17, 2024
The Houston Astros will place outfielder
Ben Gamel (knee) on the 10-day injured list due to a left-knee contusion. Gamel injured his left knee on Saturday and didn't play on either Sunday or Monday, and now he'll be out for even more time. In his short time with Houston this year, Gamel has been a bench bat against right-handed pitching and was helping to fill in before outfielder
Kyle Tucker returned from a lengthy stint on the IL due to a fractured shin. In his 20 games with the Astros, Gamel has gone 15-for-58 (.259) with a homer, three doubles and four RBI in 69 plate appearances. The 32-year-old will be hoping to return just before the end of the 2024 regular season. In his absence, fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder
Jason Heyward will see a bit more playing time against right-handed pitching, mainly in left field.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
February 12, 2024
The New York Mets have signed outfielder
Ben Gamel to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The 31-year-old was a big-league regular from 2017-2022 but got into just six games at the MLB level in the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres. The lefty-swinger hit .200 (3-for-15) with no walks and a pair of strikeouts across 15 trips to the plate with the Friars last season. The bulk of his season came with Triple-A Durham within the Rays organization where he hit .276 with eight home runs, four stolen bases, and an .865 OPS across 59 games played. Gamel is a career .252 hitter with 40 HR, 21 SB, and a .716 OPS across 685 career big-league contests.
--Brenton KempSource: Jon Heyman
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