According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Detroit Tigers have signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a minor-league contract. Last season, Gamel spent time with the New York Mets and Houston Astros. Across 38 contests, Gamel posted a .247/.394/.333 slash line with one home run and one stolen base. However, he generated an impressive .343 xwOBA and drew walks at an elite 18.2 percent. In 45 games at the Triple-A level, Gamel posted a .314/.423/.538 slash line with 12 doubles and seven home runs. Fantasy managers should monitor Gamel's progress at Triple-A as he could push for an early return to the majors, given the number of injuries in the Detroit outfield. If Gamel were to be promoted to the major leagues, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats.
Free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel (leg) and the Houston Astros agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal on Wednesday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Gamel's deal includes a $200,000 signing bonus, with the remaining $1 million being non-guaranteed. The 32-year-old veteran outfielder began the 2024 season with the New York Mets and played in only 18 games before eventually joining Houston to close out the year. Gamel played in only 20 games with the Astros and finished the year on the 60-day injured list due to a fibula injury. In total, he appeared in only 38 big-league games and went 20-for-81 (.247) with a homer, four RBI and one stolen base. In spring training this year, Gamel will merely be trying to win an Opening Day roster spot as outfield depth behind the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Mauricio Dubon, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers, among others.
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on KBME-AM in Houston on Sunday that outfielder Ben Gamel (leg) is likely done for the year due to a left-fibula fracture. Gamel injured his knee running into the fall to make a catch against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 14. "Most likely probably takes him out for the postseason," Brown said. "It's really a shame because he was playing really well." The 32-year-old came to Houston after being cut from the New York Mets' roster. He ended up playing in just 38 total games in 2024 and hit .247 (20-for-81) with one homer and four RBI in 99 plate appearances with the Mets and Astros. He was much better in his 20 games in Houston, batting .259 (15-for-58) with a homer and four RBI. With Gamel out for the rest of the way as the club gets set for another playoff appearance, the left-handed-hitting Jason Heyward will benefit from platoon work in the outfield.
The Houston Astros will place outfielder Ben Gamel (knee) on the 10-day injured list due to a left-knee contusion. Gamel injured his left knee on Saturday and didn't play on either Sunday or Monday, and now he'll be out for even more time. In his short time with Houston this year, Gamel has been a bench bat against right-handed pitching and was helping to fill in before outfielder Kyle Tucker returned from a lengthy stint on the IL due to a fractured shin. In his 20 games with the Astros, Gamel has gone 15-for-58 (.259) with a homer, three doubles and four RBI in 69 plate appearances. The 32-year-old will be hoping to return just before the end of the 2024 regular season. In his absence, fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Jason Heyward will see a bit more playing time against right-handed pitching, mainly in left field.
The New York Mets have signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The 31-year-old was a big-league regular from 2017-2022 but got into just six games at the MLB level in the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres. The lefty-swinger hit .200 (3-for-15) with no walks and a pair of strikeouts across 15 trips to the plate with the Friars last season. The bulk of his season came with Triple-A Durham within the Rays organization where he hit .276 with eight home runs, four stolen bases, and an .865 OPS across 59 games played. Gamel is a career .252 hitter with 40 HR, 21 SB, and a .716 OPS across 685 career big-league contests.
The Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing a deal to sign free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel to a minor-league deal on Wednesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, pending a physical. The left-handed hitter has played parts of seven seasons in the majors and was with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022. He'll bring the Rays' camp roster to 81 players. Gamel hit .232/.324/.369 with a .693 OPS, nine home runs, 46 RBI, 42 runs scored and five stolen bases in 423 plate appearances and 115 games played for the Bucs. The 30-year-old will bring veteran experience and serve as outfield depth for the Rays this year. Gamel has a career .253/.333/.385 slash line with a .717 OPS, 40 home runs, 198 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 679 games over his seven MLB seasons.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ben Gamel (hamstring) and first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo (back) are both expected to be activated from the injured list prior to the team's two-game series against the New York Yankees, which begins on Tuesday. Both players have been out since late May. Gamel landed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain while Tsutsugo's move to the injured list was due to a lumbar muscle strain. Neither player is particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes. Gamel has a .257/.350/.386 slash line on the year while Tsutsugo is hitting just .177/.281/.257.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ben Gamel continued his strong early-season performance Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in a 10-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Gamel has never had a breakout season, but he's performed well for a Pittsburgh team that seems content to have him occupy a prominent spot in its lineup. Gamel is slashing .269/.355/.403 with three homers, two steals, 19 runs, and 17 RBI in 152 plate appearances. With playing time, the counting stats will add up for fantasy managers, even on a dismal Pittsburgh squad.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ben Gamel had a 2-for-4 day at the dish Monday, helping his team defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1. He doubled and scored a run and is now hitting .302 over 28 games. Gamel also has two home runs, 13 RBI, 13 runs, and two stolen bases. The 29-year-old didn't have much hype surrounding him in the offseason after hitting just .247 in 2021, but he's been a pleasant surprise to start the season. Fantasy managers shouldn't believe Gamel will hit this well the rest of the way, but his strikeout rate is down to 20.9% (career 24.9%), and he has an excellent .323 xBA.
The Pittsburgh Pirates re-signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a one-year, $1.8 million deal on Monday to avoid salary arbitration. Gamel will have a chance to earn $100,000 for 450 plate appearances and $100,000 for 550 plate appearances, according to a source. The Pirates claimed Gamel off waivers from Cleveland last year after he was mostly a bench bat for the Milwaukee Brewers the previous two seasons. Gamel was a bit of a surprise for the Pirates last year, slashing .255/.352/.399 with eight home runs, 26 RBI, three steals and 42 runs scored in 383 plate appearances over 111 games while playing solid defense in the outfield.
