The Houston Astros star had just returned from the IL.
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña had a storybook start to his career, but he hit a few road bumps after that. Now, the 27-year-old is back on top as the Astros look to secure their fifth straight division title.
Peña entered Friday's bout with the Boston Red Sox ranked third in baseball with a .322 batting average in 83 games. The 6-foot-1-inch, 202-pounder came into Friday with a career slash line of .271/.319/.413, but he slashed .345/.367/.638 with four homers and eight RBI in the 2022 postseason. He won the ALCS MVP, World Series MVP, and World Series championship with the Astros that season.
However, Peña slashed .200/.238/.225 in the 2023 playoffs and .167/.286/.167 in the 2024 postseason. The fourth-year veteran's resurgence this year is a reminder of what he's capable of, but it's also been affected by injuries.
Peña got hurt once again on Friday, and Houston manager Joe Espada provided an update postgame, via The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
"Jeremy Peña’s right hamstring 'cramped up' on his final swing in the 10th inning..." Rome reported. "He’s being evaluated."
Friday was Peña's first game back from a five-week stint on the IL. He hadn't played since June 27.
The Astros lost 2-1 in 10 innings after Roman Anthony's walk-off single for the Red Sox. They are now 4-6 in their last 10 games.
Peña notched three of Houston's seven hits, and he's now slashing .326/.381/.491 on the season. The 2018 third-round draft pick became the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove Award in 2022, and the first AL player to win the Championship Series and World Series MVPs in the same year.
Category: Baseball
