The Texans are parting ways with Duke Johnson, per source
TEXANS RELEASE RB
26 February 2021
TEXANS RELEASE RB
ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Texans have released running back Duke Johnson. The Texans will gain around $5 million in cap space by making this move. Houston ended up giving a 3rd round pick to the Browns for Johnson via a conditional trade. This was a deal that was questioned at the time and has proven to be another misstep by then GM, Bill O'Brien.
Many were surprised with the lack of playing time Johnson received, especially for the pick they gave up and the salary he was making. Johnson rushed for only 235 yards last season with 28 catches and 249 receiving yards. Johnson dealt with some injuries and only played in 11 games in 2020. Now the real question becomes, will they cut David Johnson next?
Texans just released RB Duke Johnson, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2021
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.