Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña received encouraging news after leaving Wednesday night’s 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels with a right hand contusion.
X-rays on Peña’s hand were negative after he was struck on the middle knuckle by a 100 mph sinker from Angels starter Walbert Ureña in the first inning. Astros manager Joe Espada said after the game that Peña was “pretty sore” and would be reassessed Thursday.
Peña swung and missed as the pitch struck his hand, resulting in a strikeout. A trainer examined him on the field, but Peña initially remained in the game and played shortstop in the second and third innings.
Nick Allen pinch-hit for Peña in the bottom of the third and remained in the game at shortstop.
The injury created another tense moment in a season in which Peña has already dealt with several physical setbacks. He fractured the tip of his right ring finger during a World Baseball Classic exhibition in March and missed Opening Day while completing his recovery. Peña later missed about five weeks with a right hamstring strain and spent 10 days on the injured list with a left calf strain.
Despite a recent slump at the plate, Peña has remained one of Houston’s most productive hitters overall. He entered Wednesday with a 127 OPS-plus in 78 games, second among Astros hitters behind Yordan Alvarez.
Espada’s frustration over Peña’s first-inning plate appearance appeared to carry into the third inning. Mike Trout was hit by a pitch from Ethan Pecko and ruled not to have swung, prompting Espada to argue the call and earn an ejection from first-base umpire Lance Barrett.
Espada acknowledged after the game that replay showed Trout did not swing, but said his reaction stemmed from the difference between that ruling and the earlier call on Peña.
Houston went on to hold off Los Angeles 3-2, snapping a three-game losing streak and restoring its lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West to two games.
For now, the negative X-rays are welcome news for an Astros team entering the final 35 games of the regular season. Peña’s status remains to be determined as Houston prepares for Thursday night’s rubber match against the Angels. MLB currently lists his expected return as TBD.
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