Injuries have been the headlines quite consistently through this MLB season. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets, powerhouses with championship aspirations, have all found their seasons derailed not by rivals, but by an unrelenting series of injuries. They’ve seen their stars sidelined with everything from torn UCLs to nagging hamstring strains. And guess what? Now it’s the Astros’ turn.
Houston turned heads only recently by bringing Carlos Correa back in, sparking visions of a dynamic left side of the infield with his longtime friend Jeremy Pena. Fans could almost see it already, Correa and Pena turning double plays, driving in runs, and reigniting the team’s championship hopes. But just as anticipation reached its peak, reality struck. The Astros’ manager stepped forward with an update that instantly chilled the excitement.
“Jeremy Peña’s right hamstring ‘cramped up’ on his final swing in the 10th inning, Joe Espada said. He’s being evaluated,” The Athletic’s Chandler Rome wrote on X.
Jeremy Peña’s right hamstring “cramped up” on his final swing in the 10th inning, Joe Espada said. He’s being evaluated.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 2, 2025
Reportedly, during his at-bat in the 10th inning on Friday against the Red Sox, Pena’s hamstring tightened up. That forced him to sit out on defense for the bottom half of the frame. The Astros aren’t sure yet how serious the injury is, but they might give him a day or two off just to be safe. And if Pena does miss time, Ramon Urias is likely to slide in as the starting shortstop.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Houston. Friday was Pena’s first game back after spending five weeks on the injured list. Losing him again would sting, considering he came into the matchup against the Red Sox with the third-best batting average in the majors at .322 over 83 games.
Notably, after his breakout 2022 season, in which he was crowned ALCS MVP, Pena hit a rough patch. The following year, his bat went cold, and he struggled to a .200 average. But fast forward to this season, and it finally looked like he was turning the corner, swinging his way back into form with a batting average that ranks among the league’s best.
But just as the resurgence story was being written, the injury bug crept in again.
Injuries have repeatedly frustrated Jeremy Pena
Pena’s career so far has been a rollercoaster of brilliance and setbacks. His debut season in 2022 was a fairy tale, culminating in him becoming an ALCS and World Series MVP, but even that year was dotted with minor setbacks, including issues with his knee, thumb, and a concussion.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons saw him battling inconsistency at the plate, which some attributed to a persistent problem with chasing pitches, but it was clear that his body was also taking a toll. He endured neck soreness, illness, and other nagging ailments that prevented him from finding a consistent rhythm.
This season, it seemed like the story might be changing for the better. Peña was in the midst of a breakout campaign, showcasing an All-Star caliber performance and leading the Astros’ offense with a stellar batting average. But a cruel twist of fate struck in late June when he was hit by a pitch, resulting in a small rib fracture that landed him on the injured list.
He completed a brief two-game rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys before making his return to the team. But the good times were short-lived. Houston faithful would hope he doesn’t land on the IL this time, because that would be devastating, both for him and the Astros.
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