The Houston Astros have dealt with numerous injuries to star players over the last month, but reinforcements finally appear to be on the way.
All-Star shortstop Jeremy Pena suffered a rib fracture back on June 27 and hasn’t appeared in a game since. After a roughly month-long absence, Pena was activated from IL on Friday and will start at shortstop tonight against the Boston Red Sox.
Pena’s return brings some much-needed star power back to the Astros’ lineup. The 27-year-old slashes .322/.378/.489 on the year with 48 runs, 40 RBI and 18 home runs. With the team lead in batting average and the second-most hits of any Astro, the shortstop will be welcomed back to a batting order which has struggled over the last couple of weeks.
Adding Pena back into the leadoff spot certainly helps Houston, but they also add two other notable bats this evening in Boston. Trade Deadline acquisitions Carlos Correa and Jesus Sanchez also make their first appearances of the season for the Astros — for Correa, it’s his first time donning his former team’s jersey since the 2021 MLB Playoffs.
The 62-47 Astros take on the 59-51 Red Sox this evening at 7:10 p.m. EST.
