The Houston Astros announced on Monday that star shortstop Jeremy Peña has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a small fracture in one of his left ribs. The injury occurred when Peña was hit by a pitch from Cubs rookie Cade Horton during a game last Friday. Initially, x-rays indicated no serious damage, but follow-up MRI and CT scans revealed the fracture, prompting his placement on the injured list. The team has yet to provide a definitive timeline for Peña’s return.
This injury comes as a significant setback for the Astros, as Peña has been in the midst of a breakout season, boasting impressive statistics that could position him as a contender for the American League MVP award. As of now, the 27-year-old shortstop is batting .322 with an on-base percentage of .378 and a slugging percentage of .489. He has recorded 11 home runs, 18 doubles, a triple, and has stolen 15 bases out of 17 attempts while maintaining a strong defensive performance at shortstop. According to FanGraphs, Peña ranks third in the majors with a 4.1 wins above replacement, a figure that matches the performance of prominent players such as Shohei Ohtani.
Peña’s success has been partially attributed to favorable circumstances regarding balls in play; his batting average on balls in play (BABIP) has risen to .360 from .308 in previous seasons. Additionally, he has improved his walk rate and reduced his strikeout rate, indicating successful adjustments in his approach at the plate.
In Peña’s absence, Mauricio Dubón has stepped in as the primary shortstop. Dubón delivers reliable defense but has a career batting line of .259/.294/.379, struggling to replicate Peña’s offensive production. Houston may also consider calling up prospect Brice Matthews from Triple-A, where he has been hitting .285 with a notable 15.4% walk rate, although he carries a high strikeout rate of 28.5%.
The Astros are exploring all options to fill Peña’s role, and while the loss of such a dynamic player is challenging, the team’s depth and upcoming prospects such as Matthews may provide some hope. As they navigate this injury setback, the Astros remain focused on bolstering their lineup and maintaining competitive momentum.