Right-hander Jason Alexander cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Astros and has been assigned outright to their Triple-A affiliate, per the transaction log at MLB.com. He can reject the assignment in favor of free agency or accept to remain a depth option for the ‘Stros if injuries arise in the playoffs. He’ll be able to become a minor league free agent following the postseason regardless.

The 33-year-old Alexander pitched 18 1/3 innings for the Astros in 2026 — his third partial season of major league work. Opponents rocked him for 19 runs in those 18 1/3 frames, ballooning his career ERA to 5.54 in 167 1/3 innings. He’s fanned 16.9% of his big league opponents against an 8.4% walk rate. Alexander has solid command and a sharp 47.5% ground-ball rate in his career, but he’s averaged 1.67 homers per nine innings pitched and struggled to strand runners as a result.

Alexander posted a 5.03 ERA in 91 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this season — his eighth season at the top minor league level. The well-traveled righty has a 4.62 earned run average there, splitting his time between rotation and the bullpen (more so the former). He’ll work off a 91-92 mph four-seamer and sinker alike, complementing that pair of fastballs with an 85 mph changeup, lesser-used cutter and slider.

Heading into the offseason, Alexander will draw interest from other clubs looking to add an experienced swingman on a minor league pact. He used his final minor league option in 2026, so he’ll have to stick on the 40-man roster with any teams that add him in the future or else once again be designated for assignment.