In a corresponding move to make room for the two players acquired for pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore, the Rays have traded Austin Pruitt to his hometown team, the Houston Astros.
Pruitt’s connection to Houston has been the most endearing aspect of his Rays career:
In his third career start on August 2, 2017 at Minute Maid Park, he pitched in front of family and friends and went 6.1 scoreless innings, defeating former American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel. Pruitt was selected in the ninth round of the 2013 June Draft out of the University of Houston, and went 12-8 with a 4.