The Astros have claimed outfielder Fernando Martinez off waivers from the New York Mets, hoping that a fresh start will be good for the one-time elite prospect after knee problems contributed to his failure to live up to prodigy status.

The lefthanded-hitting outfielder, still just three months removed from his 23rd birthday, had a tumultuous career in the New York organization. He has played sparingly in the majors since 2009, hitting .183 with a .250 on-base percentage and a .290 slugging percentage.

Martinez lands a spot on the Astros’ 40-man roster and the spot in spring training that accompanies it. The Astros pay the Mets $20,000 – the standard waiver price – and designated Henry Villar for assignment to make room on the roster.

The minors were up-and-down, never really living up to the potential he showed when he more than held his own in full-season ball at age 17. Baseball America called him one of the top 25 prospects in any organization after that season and the next, but his stock fizzled in the following years with knee problems and performance below that standard.

“He’s a five-tool player,” said general manager Jeff Luhnow, who had seen Martinez play since he was 16. and saw him again when he was named MVP of the 2010 Caribbean Series. “He hasn’t developed the way everyone thought he was going to, but he’s 23 and still has a chance to contribute at the major league level.”

Luhnow said that with the way he moves now in the outfield as a result of those knee issues, he is probably a corner outfielder despite playing most of his minor league games in center.

Knee injuries have limited him to an average of 77 games per year between the majors and minors over his six-year career. The Mets gave up on him to clear their 40-man roster, and as a result of the Astros’ league-worst 56-106 record last year, were first in the waiver priority.

In the waiver process, Luhnow said the Astros have had limited access to his medical history, but felt he was worth a shot.