Sneed spent parts of the last two seasons with the Astros but has found a better opportunity overseas. Houston now has an additional 40-man roster spot to play with.

This is the same club that signed former Pittsburgh Pirate Jose Osuna recently. Sneed, 28, appeared in 18 games with the Astros in 2020, and he registered a 5.71 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 21/10 K/BB ratio. He's been an up-and-down arm over the last couple of seasons, and a successful stint in Japan could help improve his stock going forward. 

The transaction will be Sneed's eighth just in the month of August, meaning he'll likely be quite happy to see rosters expand at the start of September. He owns a 4.26 ERA in 12.2 innings for the Astros this season. Brad Peacock (shoulder) landed on the injured list in a corresponding move.

He was sent back to the minors to clear a spot on the active roster for Framber Valdez, who was recalled from Triple-A to serve as Houston's fifth starter for its series finale Sunday versus the Angels. The Astros will likely bring back Sneed in September as a long-relief option.