Astros in Talks to Add a Right-Handed Outfield Bat, Eyeing Rob Refsnyder or Austin Hays

The Houston Astros are looking to bolster their right-handed hitting options in the outfield, and reports indicate the team is in discussions about available bats who can fit that need. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston has shown interest in Rob Refsnyder and Austin Hays, with both players having been released earlier this week.

For the Astros, the timing matters. Houston came away from the trade deadline with Daulton Varsho as its most notable addition, leaving a gap to address after the fact. While Varsho’s presence strengthens the club’s overall outfield profile, the Astros’ reported pursuit of a right-handed hitting outfielder suggests they want more balance and depth at the plate as the season progresses.

Rome’s report frames the pursuit as a targeted one: a right-handed hitting outfielder. That detail narrows the field for Houston and points to an expected role for the player they add, likely one that can provide lineup flexibility and at-bats against right-handed and left-handed pitching depending on matchups. In practical roster terms, the Astros appear to be shopping for a bat-first fit that can help without requiring a longer-term developmental ramp.

The two names tied to Houston carry different positional backgrounds but share the same directional theme. Rob Refsnyder, a player who had been with the Seattle Mariners before being released, reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Mariners. Austin Hays, who had been with the Chicago White Sox before being released, reportedly signed a one-year contract with the White Sox. Both cases reflect how midseason roster churn and contract situations can open doors for clubs looking for a quick addition.

It is also worth noting that “released” does not automatically mean a player is no longer capable of contributing. In MLB, releases can occur for many reasons, including roster constraints, performance evaluations, and organizational needs. What Houston reportedly is evaluating is the fit: whether either bat can provide the kind of right-handed hitting outfield presence the Astros are seeking.

If the Astros do finalize an agreement, the next question will be how quickly the team integrates the new option into its daily mix. That includes defensive usage, pinch-hit frequency, and where the bat lands in the lineup based on how the coaching staff views the player’s matchup profile and availability.

For now, Houston’s reported talks keep the focus on a single objective, a right-handed outfield bat with enough offensive track record to justify taking a chance during the season’s later stretch. Refsnyder and Hays are the latest candidates connected to that objective, and the Astros’ offseason-to-in-season balancing act will become clearer if and when either player draws a formal contract.