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Astros’ Celebration Cut Short as Jeremy Peña Gets Sidelined Right After Team’s Major Milestone

While the Houston Astros celebrate a stellar June, the absence of shortstop Jeremy Peña will hurt. Despite so-called “experts” who attest to the contrary, momentum exists.

Plus, it serves as a launching pad for a successful season, expected to hang around the middle of the American League West Division. However, the team defied expectations and sits atop the division. Peña, a key cog in the process, will miss time.

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Houston Astros SS Jeremy Peña to Miss Time with Fractured Rib

When Carlos Correa left Houston, everyone seemed upset except the Astros. Behind Correa, they already looked towards his replacement. Not missing a beat, Houston managed to replace an All-Star shortstop with another younger one who will not sniff free agency until 2028.

Peña helped the team raise its second World Series pennant as a player, trying to figure out the majors. Brian McTaggart, Astros beat writer for MLB.com, details the latest development with Houston star.

“Astros SS Jeremy Peña is headed to the IL with a broken rib. He had an MRI and CT scan yesterday.”

Now, during a breakout season (.322/.318/.489/.867), Peña will miss the next ten days or so as he recovers from a fractured rib. He absorbed a fastball from Chicago Cubs rookie hurler Cade Horton. Nothing looked malicious as the rookie dropped Peña into a 0-2 hole before the pitch turned into one with too much movement and insufficient control.

Luckily, the Astros hold a 6.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners. As a result, they should hopefully keep a substantial lead in the division as Peña returns.

What should the ballclub do? Granted, the team does possess reserves on the bench that could fill in. Yet, the bold move would involve bringing their top prospect, Brice Matthews, up from Triple-A Sugar Land. Clay, Houston’s first-round draft pick in 2023, brings an athletic skill set.

He possesses excellent speed on the basepaths and range in the field. At Triple-A, the 23-year-old slashes .285/.403/.492/.895 with ten home runs, 39 batted in, and 23 stolen bases. Allowing him to get acclimated in the regular season could pay dividends in the postseason, where the Astros could use him as a pinch runner or start at second base if he can hit at the highest level.

Peña’s injury could be a disguised blessing for the Astros. The team could start working on prospects, testing them under the most challenging circumstances to see if they can handle the pressure. Moreover, if they struggle, sending them back down after a spell allows them to get more at-bats for a potential September recall.

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