Astros get encouraging Jeremy Peña update before Opening Day
Jeremy Peña returned to game action for the Astros and homered in his first game back, but Houston is still evaluating his Opening Day status.
Astros get encouraging Jeremy Peña update before Opening Day originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Jeremy Peña provided the Houston Astros with precisely what they required in his return Tuesday night: a sense of optimism.
The Astros shortstop made his return to game action during Houston’s last exhibition against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys after being sidelined due to a fractured right ring finger sustained on March 4 while representing the Dominican Republic. Peña had a 1-for-4 performance, highlighted by a significant moment of the night: a 394-foot two-run homer to left field during the sixth inning, contributing to a 6-5 victory at Daikin Park. Despite that promising performance, Houston has yet to confirm his position for Opening Day.
Peña stands out as one of the most compelling narratives as the Astros approach their regular-season opener. On Tuesday, he demonstrated his ability to compete once more; however, the club is still monitoring his finger's response and assessing his readiness after nearly three weeks away from live pitching. Peña mentioned that the finger feels good and is no longer the primary focus.
For him, the primary challenge lies in regaining his timing at the plate. That is significant because the Astros are not merely aiming to get him active. They are focused on ensuring he is prepared to contribute right away.