SAN DIEGO — Third baseman Alex Bregman will return to Houston on Monday for the first time since signing a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox in February that includes opt-outs after both 2025 and 2026.

The Red Sox and Astros will play a three-game series Monday-Wednesday. Today’s game is at 8:10 p.m. eastern.

The Astros drafted Bregman second overall out of LSU in 2015.

The 31-year-old appeared in 1,111 games for Houston from 2016-24, batting .272 with a .366 on-base percentage, .483 slugging percentage, .848 OPS, 191 home runs, 265 doubles, 18 triples and 663 RBIs. He helped the Astros win World Series titles in 2017 and ‘22.

“Hopefully, it’s a packed house for Alex,” manager Alex Cora said. “He did some amazing things over there since day one (when) he got there. I think his only struggle was his first 20, 25 at-bats in the big leagues. After that, just dominated the game. He impacted the community. Him and (his wife) Reagan, they did an amazing job over there. It’s going to be a special one. It should be a special one. And no doubt about it that they’re going to do a good job with Alex’s return.”

Bregman is expected to receive a lengthy standing ovation from Astros fans.

“It’ll be great,” Cora said. “A lot of fond memories. What he did for that organization throughout the years, it’s amazing. Obviously, we will always live with that dark cloud over our heads. We know that and we learned to live with it.”

Cora is referring to him and Bregman being on the Astros during the 2017 illegal sign stealing scandal. Cora, then Houston’s bench coach, received a one-year suspension.

“But what he did after that is what really got my attention,” Cora said. “He turned the page and he decided to lead that organization the right way and try to win a championship. And he did.”

Carlos Correa also will play his first game back in Houston. The Astros have been on the road ever since they re-acquired Correa from the Twins at the trade deadline on July 31.

“We were joking. I was asking if he (Bregman) needs an off day tomorrow,” Cora said.

Bregman said he was last in Houston “at some point” during the offseason.

“It’s gonna be great,” Bregman said. “It’s gonna be cool to be back in Houston playing against a really good ball club and look forward to going out there, competing with the guys and trying to get some wins.”

Bregman said he’s looking forward to “a really good atmosphere, for sure” with both him and Correa returning.

“Just seeing the guys, seeing the people that work at the stadium, seeing the fans,” Bregman said. “And playing baseball.”

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