Ahead of the final weekend before the All-Star Break, the Houston Astros are slated to get a much-needed bat back in their lineup.
The Astros officially announced on Friday that they're activating shortstop Jeremy Peña from the 10-day injured list and are designating Braden Shewmake for assignment in a corresponding move. Peña is batting leadoff and playing shortstop on Friday in the Astros' series opener against the Texas Rangers.
Peña missed only nine games for the Astros after suffering a mild left calf strain back on June 28. The 28-year-old was also on the shelf earlier in the year, missing a month with a right hamstring strain.
Despite appearing in just 48 games this year, Peña was stringing together a good season, slashing .295/.356/.443 with six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, eight stolen bases and an OPS of .799. Those numbers come after Peña was just three homers shy of his first 20-20 season in 2025.
His return to Houston's lineup couldn't have come at a more important time. The Astros continue to climb towards the .500 mark as they begin Friday with a record of 46-49. They're also two games out of first place in the weak AL West and 1.5 games out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the American League.
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The Astros are 25-20 with Peña in the lineup this season and are 21-29 in his absence.
As previously mentioned, the Astros begin their final series before the All-Star Break against the aforementioned Rangers, at Globe Life Field, with Peña immediately inserted back into the leadoff spot.
