Astros Trade for Marlins' Jacob Amaya; Infielder Was MIA's No. 9 Prospect

The Miami Marlins have traded infielder Jacob Amaya to the Houston Astros for cash considerations and minor-league pitcher Valente Bellozo, per the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara.

The Astros placed pitcher Bennett Sousa on the 60-day IL to make room for Amaya on the 40-man roster and optioned Amaya to Triple-A.

Amaya has appeared in just four MLB games, notching two hits and two RBI in nine at-bats. He was the Marlins' No. 9 prospect before the trade.

Amaya, 25, was an 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and appeared in his first MLB game last season. In the minors in 2023, he had 122 hits, 15 home runs and 65 RBI, notching a .252 batting average.

Amaya's time in The Show was shortlived last June as the Marlins called him up after the team's infielders struggled with injury. He spent a week in Miami but ultimately was sent back down to Triple-A when he was no longer needed.

Now, Amaya will join the Sugar Land Space Cowboys—Houston's Triple-A affiliate—as he waits to be called back up to the majors. The Astros have a solid option currently at shortstop in Jeremy Pena, who has 11 hits, a pair of homers, six RBI and a .393 average to start the season.

Though if Pena has any injury troubles this season, Amaya could fill the role well.