The Houston Astros released right-hander J.P. France from his contract at Triple-A Sugar Land this week, making the former member of their starting rotation a free agent.
France, 31, made 23 starts with the Astros in his rookie season in 2023, going 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA. He began the 2024 season in their rotation but missed most of 2024 and ’25 due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. France had spent most of this season at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he had a 3.72 ERA working as a reliever, around making three relief outings in the majors in April.
The Astros designated France for assignment on April 18, meaning he was not on the 40-man roster. A 14th-round draft pick by Houston in 2018, France made at least one major-league appearance with the team in each of the last four seasons.
The Astros re-signed infielder Braden Shewmake to a minor-league deal Friday and assigned him to Triple-A Sugar Land, the team announced.
Shewmake has appeared in 30 major-league games with the Astros this season, with a .256/.272/.423 slash line. Houston designated him for assignment on July 10 to create a roster spot for Jeremy Peña’s return from a calf injury and traded Shewmake to the Brewers two days later for cash considerations.
Shewmake played in four major-league games for Milwaukee before being designated for assignment. After clearing waivers, he elected free agency over an outright assignment to Triple-A by the Brewers. The Astros added him back into their system as familiar infield depth.