Right-hander Jason Alexander elected free agency from the Houston Astros after the club’s season ended this week, ending his latest stint with the organization.
The 33-year-old becomes available to sign with any major league team. MLB.com wrote on October 2: “RHP Jason Alexander elected free agency.”
Alexander had cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land late last month. He chose free agency rather than remain in the system.
He was designated for assignment on September 24 to clear a roster spot.
Alexander finished the 2026 season 1-1 with a 9.33 ERA in four appearances, two of them starts. He worked 18 1/3 innings and allowed 19 earned runs.
Opponents hit him for a 1.58 WHIP. He struck out 14 and walked eight.
Those numbers raised his career mark to 7-6 with a 5.54 ERA across 40 games and 26 starts. He has thrown 167 1/3 major league innings.
Alexander previously pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022 and the Athletics in 2025 before joining Houston. His 2025 work with the Astros included a 3.66 ERA over 71 1/3 innings in 14 games.
At Triple-A this year he posted a 5.03 ERA in 91 1/3 innings, his eighth season at that level. Career minor league numbers show a 4.62 ERA while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.
The Astros closed the regular season at 81-81 and won the American League West, their fifth division title in six years. They finished one game ahead of the Texas Rangers.
Houston hosted the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card Series and was swept. The final game ended 7-3 at Daikin Park.
The 81-81 mark was the lowest winning percentage for a postseason team in a full season, breaking the previous low set by the 2005 San Diego Padres.
Alexander relies on a four-seamer and sinker that sit in the low 90s, along with a changeup, cutter and slider. His career ground-ball rate is 47.5 percent, though he has allowed 1.67 home runs per nine innings.
Clubs seeking experienced swingman depth on a minor league deal are expected to show interest before spring training. He used his final option year in 2026, so any future major league addition would require a 40-man roster spot.
