RADIO
Jeremy Pena on the Bench to Start Sunday's Game
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) will start Sunday's series finale against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on the bench after he was pulled from Saturday's game early with cramps in his right hamstring, per MLB.com. Nick Allen is starting at shortstop on Sunday and will hit ninth for Houston against Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. The good news for Pena is that he took part in baseball activities on Sunday, so he could very well be back in the starting nine for Monday's series opener at Daikin Park against the visiting Miami Marlins. It's been an injury-plagued 2026 campaign for the 28-year-old Dominican shortstop, but when active, he's been a solid contributor for the Astros at the plate with a .295/.359/.430 slash line, a .789 OPS, six home runs, 22 RBI, 37 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in his 200 at-bats. In just five games played in July, Pena has gone 5-for-17 (.294) with an RBI and three runs scored. A 20-20 season is highly unlikely at this point, but Pena can still provide fantasy managers with decent counting stats the rest of the way if he can avoid more injuries in the second half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Leaves with Hamstring Cramp
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Pena appears to have tweaked his hamstring while taking a swing in the third inning. He stayed in and finished the at-bat, but was replaced in the fourth inning. Pena finished the game 1-for-2 at the plate with a single. The Astros are calling it a right hamstring cramp, but he'll likely undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Nick Allen gets the starting nod at shortstop on Sunday. There should be another update on Pena ahead of Sunday's game.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Christian Walker Removed Due to Hip Soreness
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hip) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Walker appeared to have tweaked his right hip after taking a swing in the fourth inning. He was taken out of the game before finishing the at-bat. He finished the game hitless in one plate appearance. The assumption is that Walker will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Walker is out of the lineup on Sunday. Until there is more information, fantasy managers should consider Walker as day-to-day.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Astros Promoting Shortstop Prospect Xavier Neyens to High-A
The Houston Astros are promoting top shortstop prospect Xavier Neyens to High-A Asheville at the All-Star break, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Neyens, the 21st overall pick in last year's draft out of Mount Vernon High School in Washington, gets the promotion at the halfway point after hitting .240/.449/.462 with a .911 OPS, 14 home runs, 38 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 52 runs scored in 68 games and 305 plate appearances with Single-A Fayetteville at just 19 years old. Per MLB Pipeline, he's the Astros' second-ranked prospect. Neyens has displayed plenty of pop at the lower level of the minors, but also plenty of swing and miss, as he's sporting a 30.2% strikeout rate early on. The left-handed hitter has a big frame at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, which gives him plenty of leverage for plus-plus raw power at a premium position. Neyens is expected to eventually be moved to third base because of his fringy speed and quickness. There's a lot of upside here, but more development is needed, and he won't be a realistic option for a big-league call-up for another couple of years.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Astros Reinstate Jeremy Pena From the Injured List on Friday
The Houston Astros reinstated shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and designated shortstop Braden Shewmake for assignment in a corresponding move, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Pena is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff in his return for Houston in Friday's series opener at Globe Life Field against the division-rival Texas Rangers and right-hander Cal Quantrill. Fantasy managers will want to get the 28-year-old Dominican infielder back into their starting lineups in traditional leagues immediately. In his fifth year in the big leagues in 2026, Pena has dealt with a handful of injuries already and has been on the IL multiple times, but he's also hitting .295/.356/.443 with a .799 OPS, six home runs, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 48 games and 202 plate appearances. Pena was three homers shy of his first 20-20 season in 2025. He's not an elite high-end fantasy shortstop, but he should be rostered in the majority of leagues as Houston's table-setter. He's hitting .333 with two RBI in six career at-bats against Quantrill.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Jeremy Pena Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena is currently battling a calf strain, but it appears as though he is close to making his return. It's been an injury-marred 2026 campaign for Pena so far, as he's been limited to just 202 plate appearances. Still, the 28-year-old has been productive when healthy, hitting .295/.356/.443 with six home runs, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Once Pena returns to the Astros lineup, he profiles as a must-start fantasy shortstop with five-category upside.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Jeremy Pena Could Return Next Weekend
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) is expected to play in some minor league rehab games this week. Pena landed on the Injured List last Tuesday due to a calf strain. He has been doing some light work, but he appears to be ready for game action. Barring any setbacks, the Astros are hopeful that Pena can return for the final series before the All-Star break against the Texas Rangers. Pena was swinging a hot bat before he landed on the shelf, so hopefully this doesn't cool him off. Nick Allen figures to continue seeing a majority of the playing time at shortstop while Pena is out.
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Jeremy Pena Doing Light Running on Wednesday
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) was doing some light on-field running at Daikin Park on Wednesday with a trainer, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a strained left calf, but it's obviously not a very serious injury, and the team is hoping that he'll be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the IL. Raynel Delgado is starting at shortstop and batting ninth for Houston on Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins and right-hander Taj Bradley, but Nick Allen and potentially Brice Matthews could also see action at the 6 until Pena makes his way back. Pena, 28, is by no means an elite, high-end option at the shortstop position in fantasy, but he is more than serviceable across most categories and is having a fine season despite a handful of injury issues. Through 183 at-bats in 2026, the Dominican infielder is hitting .295/.356/.443 with a .799 OPS, six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all leagues.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Jeremy Pena Headed to Injured List With Mild Calf Strain
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) will head to the 10-day injured list with a mild left-calf strain, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Espada said it should be a "minimum stint" on the IL. The Astros held Pena out of their starting lineup in Monday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins, and now we know why. The good news is that the 28-year-old Dominican's injury isn't serious, and he could be back on July 10, just before the All-Star break next month, to face the Texas Rangers. Until then, both Nick Allen and Brice Matthews could split time at the 6 in Houston. Pena will head to the sidelines sporting a strong .295/.356/.443 slash line, .799 OPS, six home runs, 21 RBI,34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 183 at-bats. It's been a trying 2026 season injury-wise, but when healthy, Pena has been consistent for fantasy managers, and he deserves to be stashed in most leagues while he rehabs. Pena's underlying metrics have been solid as well, as he sports a 37.6% hard-hit rate, 4% barrel rate, .297 xBA, and .345 xwOBA.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jeremy Pena Out on Monday With "Leg Discomfort"
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (leg) is out of Monday's starting lineup for the series opener against the Minnesota Twins after reporting "left-leg soreness," manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena is visiting with team doctors. With Pena out to begin the week, Nick Allen, who is back from the injured list, will start at the 6 and bat eighth for the Astros against Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews. Until we have more specifics on the 28-year-old Dominican's leg injury, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The former third-round pick in 2018 out of the University of Maine has battled various injuries in 2026, but when available, he's been solid, slashing .295/.356/.443 with a .799 OPS, six home runs, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 48 games and 202 plate appearances as the Astros' starting shortstop. Check back on Tuesday to see if Pena is ready to rejoin the action for Game 2 of the series at Daikin Park in Houston.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jeremy Pena Back From Hamstring Injury to Face Blue Jays
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is back at shortstop and is batting third for Wednesday's tilt on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Trey Yesavage, according to MLB.com. Pena was pulled from the series opener on Monday in Canada with a cramp in his right hamstring and was held out of Tuesday's contest as a precaution. Now that he's back in there on Wednesday, fantasy managers will want to return him to their starting lineups in traditional formats. The 28-year-old Dominican has battled injuries in 2026, but when on the field, he's been money, slashing .284/.346/.451 with a .797 OPS, six home runs, 18 RBI, 29 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 43 games across 179 plate appearances. Pena has been even better at the plate so far in June, going 21-for-70 (.300) with three long balls, five doubles, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 20 games for the Astros. He has never faced Yesavage in his MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Sitting Out Tuesday After Hamstring Cramp
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game at the Toronto Blue Jays after suffering a right-hamstring cramp in Monday's series opener, according to MLB.com. Raynel Delgado will start at shortstop and will bat ninth for the Astros against Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow), who is making his first start of the 2026 season. Manager Joe Espada said that Pena will be available off the bench on Tuesday, which means his hamstring injury isn't considered very serious. It sounds like Pena has a good shot to return to Houston's starting lineup on Wednesday. The Astros can ill-afford to lose Pena for any more time this year with Carlos Correa (ankle) already out for the season. The 28-year-old Dominican shortstop has only 161 at-bats so far in 2026 but is currently hitting a strong .286/.345/.453 with a .798 OPS, six home runs, 18 RBI, 29 runs, and seven stolen bases. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if he's ready to return to action.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Dealing With Hamstring Cramp
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) was pulled from Monday's game early against the Toronto Blue Jays with a cramp in his right hamstring, the team announced. Before leaving the contest, Pena was 1-for-2 at the plate with a run scored as the Astros' leadoff hitter. Raynel Delgado moved from third base to shortstop to fill in for Pena to finish out the 4-2 loss to Toronto at the Rogers Centre. Carlos Correa (ankle) is out for the season, and Nick Allen (hamstring) is also on the injured list, so if the 28-year-old Pena misses more time with his hamstring injury, the Astros' infield depth will be tested. It doesn't sound like a very serious injury for Pena, though, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. Check back later on Tuesday to see if he's available to return to the starting nine as the series in Toronto against the Jays continues. Pena has missed time with injuries already this year, but he's hitting a strong .286/.345/.453 with a .798 OPS, six homers, 18 RBI, seven steals, and 29 runs scored in his 42 games across 177 plate appearances.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Jeremy Pena Continues Strong Month of June With Two-Homer Game
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena hasn't been much of a power threat this year, but he went off on Friday night in the team's 9-3 win at Daikin Park over the visiting Cleveland Guardians by going 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .289 and his OPS to .812 out of the leadoff spot. The 28-year-old Dominican shortstop missed some time earlier this season with an injury, but he has been reliable all year when he's been available, coming into Friday's game with a .279/.344/.415 slash line, .759 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, 26 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 147 at-bats. Pena is heating up with the weather, too, recording multi-hit games in three straight games with four extra-base hits and six RBI. He's now up to a .289/.351/.461 slash line with six home runs in 168 plate appearances. Pena now has three home runs in his last two games and came into Friday with a .291 average (16-for-55) with a homer, four doubles, seven RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 15 games in June. Continue to ride him in fantasy leagues while he's hot.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday before the series opener against the hosting Minnesota Twins. Pena is at shortstop and will bat leadoff against Twins left-hander Kendry Rojas at Target Field. Pena initially landed on the injured list on April 11 with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain before being bothered by a sore neck due to a collision with a runner while on his minor-league rehab assignment last week. Now that the 28-year-old Dominican infielder is back, he will return to primary starting duties at the 6 in Houston. Pena was hitting .256/.304/.349 with a .653 OPS, no home runs, no RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base in his first 43 at-bats with the Astros in 2026 before going on the shelf. Injuries have plagued him so far this year, but he was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and finished just three home runs shy of his first 20-20 campaign. Pena is available in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
