The Astros placed Gamel on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left fibula fracture, retroactive to Sunday.
Gamel was initially diagnosed with a left knee contusion after running into the outfield wall during Saturday's contest, but further evaluation confirmed he instead fractured his fibula. The Astros have yet to announce a return timeline for the 32-year-old, though it's possible his injury keeps him out of action for the rest of the regular season. Cesar Salazar was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Destined for IL
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Gamel (knee) will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Gamel hasn't been in the starting lineup the last two days after suffering a left knee contusion during Saturday's game, and the team has since decided that he'll require a trip to the injured list. Jason Heyward and Mauricio Dubon should see more chances in left field while Gamel is on the mend.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Not in lineup Monday
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Gamel (knee) remains out of the lineup for Monday's contest in San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gamel exited Saturday's game versus the Angels with a bruised left knee and will now miss a second straight start. He is considered day-to-day. Jason Heyward will play left field in Monday's series opener.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Out Sunday with bruised knee
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Gamel (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
After exiting Saturday's 5-3 win in the sixth inning with a left knee contusion, Gamel will get at least one day off to rest the injury. Jason Heyward will take Gamel's spot in the outfield, manning left field while batting seventh in the series finale in Anaheim.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Leaves game with knee injury
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Gamel left Saturday's game against the Angels due to a left knee contusion, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Gamel sustained the injury in the fourth inning, when he crashed into the right-field wall fielding a catch off the bat of Mickey Moniak, per Rome. Gamel stayed in the game until Jason Heyward pinch hit for him in the sixth inning.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Hitting bench Thursday
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Gamel is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dating back to Aug. 24, the lefty-hitting Gamel has started in 16 of the Astros' 18 games, but his absence from the lineup Thursday will be his first against a right-handed starting pitcher (Mitch Spence) during that span. With Chas McCormick (hand) going on the injured list Thursday and Kyle Tucker still limited to the designated-hitter spot following his recent return from the 60-day IL, Gamel should retain a near-everyday role in the Houston outfield even though his bat has cooled of late. Gamel has gone 3-for-23 (.130 average) thus far in September, though he's drawn eight walks while striking out just five times.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Pops first homer
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Gamel went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over the Royals.
The journeyman outfielder led off the bottom of the third inning by driving a Seth Lugo fastball the other way into the Crawford Boxes. It was Gamel's first homer of the season, and his first long ball since Oct. 2, 2022 when he was a member of the Pirates. Gamel appears to be working on the strong side of a platoon right now, seeing action in nine straight games and batting .367 (11-for-30) with two doubles, three RBI and six runs, but he figures to lose playing time once Kyle Tucker (lower leg) is ready to come off the IL.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Taking on regular role
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Gamel went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored Wednesday against the Phillies.
Gamel started his sixth straight game in right field and appears set for a large-side platoon role. In his first six games with Houston, Gamel has gone 10-for-23 with two RBI and four runs scored.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Nabbing third straight start
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Gamel will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Phillies, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Gamel has now started in right field in four consecutive matchups with right-handed pitchers and seems to have settled into a strong side of a platoon at the position with either Chas McCormick or Mauricio Dubon (shoulder). Kyle Tucker (shin) should eventually take back an everyday role in right field, but he's without a clear timeline to return from the 60-day injured list. Gamel has gone 5-for-11 with two walks over his first four games since joining the Astros as a waiver pickup last week, and manager Joe Espada should continue to carve out a regular spot in the outfield for the journeyman while he's swinging a hot bat.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Claimed by Houston
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The Astros claimed Gamel off waivers from the Mets on Tuesday.
Gamel collected a .217/.400/.261 slash line in 30 plate appearances for the Mets before being designated for assignment Sunday. He'll provide outfield depth for an Astros club that's still dealing with the absence of Kyle Tucker (shin). Houston will need to make a corresponding roster move once Gamel officially reports to the 26-man roster.
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Mets' Ben Gamel: Moved off 40-man roster
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The Mets designated Gamel for assignment Sunday.
The 32-year-old joined the big-league roster in late June after Starling Marte (knee) landed on the 10-day injured list, but Marte is back with the Mets for Sunday's series finale against Miami. Gamel played in 18 games and had a .217/.400/.261 slash line in 30 plate appearances.
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Mets' Ben Gamel: Drawing rare start
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Gamel will start in right field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Athletics.
Gamel is part of the lineup for the second time in three games, but he will be making just his eighth start in 43 contests overall since he was called up from Triple-A Syracuse on June 25. Though he's fared well in his limited opportunities with a .723 OPS in 26 plate appearances, Gamel could nonetheless be at risk of losing his roster spot when the Mets bring Starling Marte (knee) back from the injured list, perhaps as soon as this weekend.
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Mets' Ben Gamel: Called up from Triple-A
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The Mets selected Gamel's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.
Gamel will be brought up to the major-league roster for the first time this season, providing additional help in the outfield with Starling Marte (knee) hitting the 10-day injured list. Gamel owns a .961 OPS with seven home runs across 190 plate appearances with Syracuse and should compete with DJ Stewart and Tyrone Taylor for work in right field.
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Mets' Ben Gamel: Misses Opening Day roster
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The Mets reassigned Gamel to minor-league camp March 19, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
If he doesn't opt out of his minor-league deal, Gamel will open the season at Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old outfielder saw action in six games at the big-league level with the Padres in 2023, going 3-for-15 with two RBI.
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Mets' Ben Gamel: Gets NRI from Mets
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Gamel signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Gamel got into six games with the Padres in 2023 but spent most of the year in the minors. The 31-year-old is a career .252/.332/.384 hitter over parts of eight big-league seasons and could have a shot to break camp in a reserve outfielder role with the Mets.
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Ben Gamel: Pursuing free agency
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Gamel elected free agency Saturday.
The Padres outrighted Gamel off their 40-man roster last week, and the veteran outfielder has elected free agency rather than remain in the organization and report to Triple-A El Paso. Gamel -- who has spent most of this season in the minors -- is a career .252/.332/.384 hitter over parts of eight big-league seasons.
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Padres' Ben Gamel: Gets outrighted to minors
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The Padres outrighted Gamel to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.
Gamel looks poised to remain in the San Diego organization as a depth outfielder at El Paso after going unclaimed off waivers over the weekend. Before being dropped from the 40-man roster, Gamel appeared in six games for the Padres and went 3-for-15 with a double and two RBI.
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Padres' Ben Gamel: Dropped from 40-man roster
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Gamel was designated for assignment by the Padres on Thursday.
Gamel appeared in only six games during his three-week stay in the majors and went 3-for-15 (.200) with a double and two singles. Glenn Otto, claimed off waivers from the Rangers, will fill the vacated 40-man roster spot.
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Padres' Ben Gamel: Another start Wednesday
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Gamel will serve as the Padres' designated hitter and bat eighth Wednesday versus the Orioles.
Gamel started in right field in his Padres debut Tuesday and went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI as part of a 10-3 blowout victory. Facing a 5.5-game deficit for the third NL Wild Card spot, San Diego will continue to ride the hot hand. That said, Gamel is a career .253/.333/.385 hitter in 2,210 plate appearances at the major-league level and should not be trusted for sustained fantasy production.
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Padres' Ben Gamel: Knocks in two in team debut
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Gamel went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's 10-3 win against Baltimore.
The Padres acquired Gamel in a trade with the Rays in July, but the veteran outfielder had spent all of his time in the minors this season prior to being called up Tuesday. He contributed to a big offensive effort by San Diego with a two-run ground-rule double in the fifth inning to make the score 10-0. Gamel can play all three outfield spots and also saw some time at first base at Triple-A this season, so he has a path to somewhat frequent playing time, though he isn't expected to have an everyday role while up with San Diego.
