Astros Announce Jeremy Peña News After Leaving Cubs Game

The Houston Astros found a gem in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft. That player was shortstop Jeremy Peña, who worked his way up the minors and won the starting job after Carlos Correa's departure in 2022.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 202-pounder slashed .253/.289/.426 with 22 homers and 63 RBI over 136 regular season games before slashing .345/.367/.638 with four homers and eight RBI in 13 playoff contests. He won both the ALCS and World Series MVP awards in Houston's championship run.

Peña recaptured that magic to start 2025, as he slashed .324/.379/.492 with 11 homers and 40 RBI over 81 games before Friday's bout with the Chicago Cubs. However, the veteran got hit by a pitch in the second inning and left in the fifth.

Houston provided an update about Peña shortly after, via The Athletic's Chandler Rome.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (3) and right fielder Cam Smith (11).

Erik Williams - Imagn Images

"Jeremy Peña left the game with 'left rib soreness' caused by a hit by pitch, according to the Astros," he reported.

Peña finished 0-for-2 on the night.

The Astros' offense produced despite the setback in the 7-4 win. Designated hitter Victor Caratini broke the ice with a sacrifice fly in the third before catcher Yainer Diaz hit a three-run homer to left center in the same frame. Right fielder Cam Smith then hit another three-run homer to the same area in the fourth, and he reached base four times. 

Houston is now on a five-game win streak and is 18-6 in June. The club will rematch Chicago on Saturday and Sunday before hitting the road to play the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers.