This is the second season in a row that the Astros have been bombarded with injuries. After the 2025 season ended earlier than they hoped, ultimately due to countless injuries and testing their depth, the Astros are finding themselves in a very similar position. A few players should be well on their way to returning, and one of them is shortstop Jeremy Peña.
Peña was placed on the injured list on April 13 with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain after suffering the injury during the Astros' April 11 game against the Seattle Mariners. Since Carlos Correa is now out for the season it is even more crucial that Peña returns to the lineup. The Astros are currently sitting at 16-27 and need all the help they can get.
Luckily for the Astros Jeremy Peña made a rehab appearance Tuesday night with Double-A Corpus Christi. The outing included both positive moments and scary moments.
Peña started the game at shortstop and hit leadoff during his rehab assignment. After reaching base on an infield throwing error in his first at-bat he later picked up a double giving the Astros another encouraging sign as he works toward returning to Houston's lineup.
One of the biggest moments of the night came in the fifth inning when Peña collided with a baserunner near second base while trying to field an errant throw from the outfield. Not what you want to see from a player working his way back from a hamstring injury. Peña went hard to the ground and landed on his back creating a scary moment but he remained in the game afterward.
Later in the game Peña was also hit on the forearm by a pitch. He was able to walk to first base under his own power and did not appear seriously injured though he was eventually removed for a pinch-runner.
Peña's return would be a major boost for a Houston team that has struggled with injuries throughout the season. With Carlos Correa also sidelined the Astros have been forced to rely on depth pieces like Nick Allen at shortstop. Getting Peña back in the lineup would immediately help both defensively and offensively.
While there are still a few steps left before Peña officially returns Tuesday night was another sign that the Astros could be getting one of their most important players back sooner rather than later. For a team trying to stay afloat in the American League standings reinforcements cannot come soon enough.