Astros Sign Right-Handed Reliever Jordan Weems to Minor-League Contract
The Houston Astros have added veteran right-handed reliever Jordan Weems to their organization by signing him to a minor-league contract, according to a report from Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Weems, who began the 2025 season in the Atlanta Braves’ farm system, will now get a fresh opportunity with the Astros as he looks to revitalize his career.
As part of the agreement, Weems is expected to report to Triple-A Sugar Land, the Astros’ top minor-league affiliate. From there, he’ll have the chance to work his way up and potentially earn a call-up to the big-league roster if he performs well and a need arises in Houston’s bullpen.
Weems, 31, has had a winding professional baseball journey. Originally drafted as a catcher by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Weems transitioned to pitching midway through his career. After years of development and reinvention, he eventually made his major-league debut with the Oakland Athletics during the shortened 2020 season. Since then, he’s had stints with multiple clubs, including the Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals, though he’s yet to carve out a consistent role at the major-league level.
Earlier this year, Weems signed with the Braves and began the season with their Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers. In 17.2 innings of relief work, he recorded a 5.09 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP, striking out 18 batters while issuing 10 walks. Although he had some success in generating strikeouts, command and consistency were issues, and his struggles ultimately led to his release from the Braves organization on May 19.
Despite the less-than-stellar numbers in Gwinnett, the Astros see potential value in Weems. Houston has a reputation for identifying and developing overlooked or struggling pitchers, often helping them refine their mechanics, improve pitch selection, or find a better fit within a bullpen role. In a system that has helped mold productive relievers in the past, Weems will have an opportunity to work closely with the Astros’ pitching coaches and analytics team to correct his deficiencies and potentially reemerge as a viable bullpen option.
Houston’s bullpen has been inconsistent throughout the 2025 season, battling injuries and underperformance from several key arms. Adding organizational depth is a priority as the team looks to stay competitive in the playoff race, and the signing of Weems represents a low-risk move with the potential for upside. If he can regain the form that earned him major-league innings in past seasons, Weems could provide valuable insurance in case injuries or performance issues continue to affect the Astros’ pitching staff.
For Weems, joining Houston offers a new chapter and a possible path back to the majors. At this stage in his career, he brings experience and a sense of urgency to prove he can still compete at the highest level. His fastball has historically touched the mid-to-upper 90s, and he’s shown flashes of effectiveness when able to command his pitches and limit free passes.
The move to Triple-A Sugar Land also positions Weems in a favorable environment. The Astros’ development pipeline is one of the most respected in baseball, and the coaching staff at Sugar Land has been instrumental in preparing relievers for the big-league transition. If Weems can clean up his walk rate and build confidence in his arsenal, he may find himself back in a major-league bullpen before season’s end.
Ultimately, the Astros’ decision to sign Jordan Weems reflects both a need for pitching depth and a belief that with the right adjustments, he can provide meaningful contributions. Time will tell if the change of scenery helps Weems reclaim his place on a big-league roster.
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