The Houston Astros announced on Tuesday that they have released right‑hander J.P. France from his Triple‑A contract, effectively making him a free agent.
France, 31, burst onto the major leagues in 2023 with a solid 11‑6 record and a 3.83 earned run average, earning a spot in the rotation and drawing praise for his poise on the mound.
However, a shoulder injury forced him to miss most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, undergoing surgery that kept him sidelined for over a year.
A Brief Comeback That Was Not Enough
When he finally returned to the big club in April 2026, he appeared in a handful of games before the Astros designated him for assignment on April 18, removing him from the 40‑man roster.
In the minors, France spent the bulk of the 2026 campaign with Sugar Land, posting a 3.72 ERA in relief appearances, but the club ultimately decided to part ways.
Drafted in the 14th round in 2018, the Texas native has logged at least one MLB appearance in each of the past four seasons, showcasing a career that has been marked by resilience and adaptation.