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HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 11: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros prepares for a game against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on August 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

When Jeremey Peña was injured on March 4 with a fractured right ring finger playing for the Dominican Republic against the Detroit Tigers, it was a big blow not only for the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, but also for the Houston Astros.

The injury left his Opening Day in doubt. There was some thought that he could be ready against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday after he hit a two-run home run on Tuesday night against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in the final exhibition game.

“I felt good,” Peña said after the game. “I feel like right now the concern is not the finger. The finger feels good to go. It’s a matter of getting at-bats and feeling like you’re ready. I’ve been out since March 4, and I haven’t seen any pitching at all, so it’s a matter of getting back to that game mode.”

As it turned out, he was not in Joe Espada’s Opening Day lineup against the Angels. It turns out that he will only miss one game to begin the season as he will be in the lineup on Friday night in Game 2 of the season-opening series against Los Angeles.

Houston Astros Get Jeremy Peña Back in Lineup Against Los Angeles Angels

Houston getting Peña back should help a lineup that was completely shut down by the Angels on Thursday. On Friday night, he’ll be back in the lineup, leading off and playing shortstop. Getting him back is big for Espada, not only at the plate, but in the field.

“When Jeremy is on the field, we are a way, way better team,” Espada said after Tuesday’s game. “Right now, when we are full, when we are healthy, and we are loaded, our lineup is a really good lineup. He’s that piece right now. When he clears these next few hurdles, we’ll be ready to go.”

There is no doubt that Peña is a key part of the Astros. Last season, he was an American League All-Star. He finished the season slashing .304./.363/.477 with 17 home runs and 62 runs driven in. Peña had 30 doubles and 20 stolen bases. The 28-year-old will lead off against the Angels.

Astros Looking To Bounce Back Against Angels

Dropping the season opener to Los Angeles was not the way the Astros wanted to begin the season. They lost ace pitcher Framber Valdez in free agency to the Detroit Tigers and replaced him with Japanese star Tatsuya Imai and Mike Burrows in a trade. Burrows cost Houston general manager Dana Brown two of his top prospects. However, he’s hoping that Burrows can follow his strong spring into the regular season.

On Thursday, Houston got just three hits, two from Joey Loperfido and one from Christian Walker. They struck out nine times against José Soriano, Walbert Urena, Chase Silseth, Drew Pomeranz, and Jordan Romano. Getting Peña back in the lead-off spot should help on Friday night.

There is little margin for error for the Astros this season. Getting Peña back should help Houston’s offense and defense.

Scott Roche Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche

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