Astros Take Cautious Approach with Jeremy Peña After Painful Hit-by-Pitch to the Ribs…

Houston: The Houston Astros have taken a cautious approach with shortstop Jeremy Peña, removing their star leadoff hitter from Saturday’s lineup after he was struck in the ribs by a pitch in Friday night’s 7–4 victory over the Chicago Cubs

In the second inning of what turned into a dominant win, Peña was hit on his left side by an 89 mph changeup from Cubs rookie Cade Horton. Although he remained in the game for a few more at-bats, Peña exited in the fifth inning and Martinez was lifted for pinch-hitter Mauricio Dubón

Friday evening imaging revealed no rib fractures, but Peña was dealing with significant soreness—especially when breathing. Manager Joe Espada emphasized the need for rest, opting to give Peña a full day off to recover

Peña has been nothing short of electric this year. He’s slashing .322 with an .867 OPS, leading the Astros in both categories and ranking among the top in MLB wins above replacement . He has started all but two of the Astros’ 82 games this season, making this one of just his rare absences

Dubón slid into the lineup at shortstop on Saturday. Meanwhile, Peña, who “felt pretty good” according to Espada, was scheduled for light tee swings and further treatment. The team hopes to have him back soon, but maintained a day-to-day approach

Espada didn’t mince words: “I’m going to do everything I can to keep him away from today’s game… he’s actually feeling pretty good.” The emphasis is on ensuring full recovery rather than risking aggravation houston

Peña has been a catalyst for Houston’s offense this season—his ability to get on base, swipe bags, and generate early scoring opportunities has been a cornerstone of their success. Even a brief absence could disrupt the offensive flow and defensive rhythm of the Astros. Manager Espada’s cautious handling reflects just how invaluable Peña has become.

• Peña’s return timeline: Keep an eye on any updates from Houston, but rest remains the top priority.

• Dubón’s performance: How effectively Mauricio Dubón fills in at shortstop could impact lineup decisions moving forward.

• Astros’ early offense: Will Peña’s absence affect Houston’s ability to start fast in upcoming games?