Astros trade Tyler White, plan to move on from Tony Kemp – Chron

One homegrown player saw his Astros career end Thursday. Another will experience that on Friday.

Houston will designate Tony Kemp for assignment on Friday afternoon when it activates Carlos Correa from the injured list, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Chronicle on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the team traded Tyler White to the Los Angeles Dodgers for righthanded pitching prospect Andre Scrubb. White was designated for assignment last week to make room for Jose Urquidy on the Astros’ 25-man roster.

White and Kemp entered the season without minor league options and increasing uncertainty surrounding their long-term futures on a loaded major league roster. White’s spot seemed more secure given his breakout second half during the 2018 season, but a poor four-month offensive display sealed his fate. He exited the active roster after slashing .225/.320/.330 in 253 plate appearances.

In a statement posted to his Instagram account on Thursday, White thanked the Astros organization for “everything over the past few years.”

“What a wild ride. Teammates that were like family, coaches and staff that did everything to better my career. I will be forever grateful for all of you and my opportunity,” part of White’s statement said. “However, with every end is a new beginning.”

Kemp, meanwhile, had to battle for any playing time among an entrenched outfield. In spring training, there was a thought that either he or Jake Marisnick — also out of options — would not break camp as an Astro. Carrying a seven-man bullpen for most of the season allowed both to coexist.

When the move is made official, the Astros will have seven days to either trade Kemp or pass him through outright waivers. The 27-year-old lefthanded-hitting outfielder is almost certain to be included in some sort of trade prior to the July 31 deadline. If by some circumstance he is not, Kemp will surely be claimed by one of the 29 other teams.

Known for his advanced, dogged plate presence and a cheery personality that resonated in the clubhouse, Kemp saw his playing time squeezed this season by Marisnic’s offensive consistency and elite defense. The addition of lefthanded bats Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez did not help Kemp’s case, either.

Jose Altuve’s hamstring injury forced Kemp into backup second base duties in June, but Altuve’s return has eliminated any need of that. Kemp started just five games after Altuve was activated from the injured list on June 19.

Kemp slashed .227/.308/.417 in 186 plate appearances this season. His seven home runs equaled the total of his first three major league seasons.

Aside from his on-field production, Kemp endeared himself to the Astros fan base with a vibrant social media presence and his “Hugs for Homers” initiative that started last season. The 5-6 outfielder stood at the end of the dugout after every Astros home run and leapt into the arms of the man responsible for swatting it. T-shirts and Twitter trends were instant.

Kemp’s designation creates a permanent roster spot for Myles Straw, the speedy prospect who retains minor league options but will remain a major leaguer. Straw was virtually assured a spot on the Astros’ postseason roster as a pinch-running specialist, but his lethal ability on the basepaths also has proved a valuable asset in the regular season.

Straw will ostensibly see more time in the outfield upon Correa’s return but has shown he can handle shortstop duties when asked. He has a .376 on-base percentage in 94 plate appearances.

Scrubb, 24, was 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings at Class AA Tulsa. He will be assigned to Class AA Corpus Christi.

Scrubb was used mostly as a reliever, making 27 of his 29 appearances this season out of the bullpen. He was selected in the eighth round of the 2016 draft and has a career 2.37 minor league ERA.

chandler.rome@chron.com

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