Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña is expected to miss the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic after suffering a fractured finger during Wednesday’s exhibition against the Detroit Tigers.
The Astros confirmed Peña’s injury and said he will be reevaluated in two weeks.
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Peña, 28, fractured the tip of his right ring finger while fielding a ground ball from Detroit’s Wenceel Pérez in the top of the third inning. He left the game in the bottom of the frame after striking out at the plate.
Astros manager Joe Espada spoke to Dominican Republic manager Albert Pujols, who said Peña wanted to stay in Wednesday’s game, according to MLB.com. The fracture was confirmed in a meeting with a hand specialist on Thursday.
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The Astros have had misfortune with injuries in the World Baseball Classic before. In 2023, Jose Altuve fractured his right thumb during the tournament, an injury that sidelined him for the first 43 games of Houston’s season.
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It’s not known if Peña will miss the start of the Astros’ season with Opening Day three weeks away. If so, third baseman Carlos Correa could move back to shortstop while Isaac Paredes plays third.
Neither Altuve nor Correa is participating in this year’s World Baseball Classic due to insurance issues. Infielders Zach Dezenzo (Italy) and Shay Whitcomb (Korea) are the only other Astros playing in the WBC.
Peña was named to the American League All-Star team last season, in which he batted .304/.363/.477 with 30 doubles, 17 home runs, 62 RBI and 20 stolen bases. In the field, he was credited with 5 Defensive Runs Saved and 8 Outs Above Average at shortstop — second in the AL in both categories.
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However, Peña was limited to 125 games due to a fractured rib (sustained when he was hit by a pitch) and left oblique injuries.
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo is expected to take over for Peña for the D.R., while New York Yankees infielder Amed Rosario could also fill in. The Dominican Republic begins the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Pool D play versus Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET Friday at loanDepot Park in Miami.