Astros Decline Club Option On Ryan Weiss

The Astros have declined a $5MM club option on right-hander Ryan Weiss, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Weiss will collect a $500K buyout as he returns to free agency.

Weiss spent 2024 and 2025 putting up good numbers in South Korea. Over those two seasons, he tossed 270 1/3 innings for the Hanwha Eagles with a 3.16 earned run average. In the latter season, he made 30 starts with a 2.87 ERA, 28.6% strikeout rate, 7.7% walk rate and 48.5% ground ball rate.

The Astros tried to bring him to North America as a cheap rotation addition. They signed him to a one-year deal with a $2.6MM guarantee in the form of a $2MM salary in 2026, a $100K signing bonus, and a $500K buyout on a $5MM club option for 2027.

It didn’t work out. Weiss made nine appearances, posting a 7.62 ERA through 26 innings. His 22.9% strikeout rate was around average but he walked 15.3% of batters faced. He was designated for assignment in June and cleared waivers. He also tossed 76 1/3 Triple-A innings with a lackluster 5.42 ERA. Given that season, it’s unsurprising that the Astros aren’t bringing him back next year. He’ll now look for his next opportunity. If he stays in North America, he should be limited to minor league offers. If he gets another chance to pitch overseas, he might be tempted to take it.