Astros Make Jeremy Pena Announcement After Removal From Lineup

Astros Share Latest Jeremy Pena Injury Update

Ahead of the series finale, Pena was originally listed in the starting lineup at shortstop, hitting leadoff for the Astros.

However, moments before game time, the Astros made an adjustment with Zach Cole being inserted into the lineup and Mauricio Dubon taking over at shortstop. With concerns mounting over Pena’s status, the Astros announced on X, “Jeremy Pena has been removed from today's lineup due to oblique soreness.”

This is an unfortunate development, as the Astros are already playing shorthanded once again after Yordan Alvarez suffered a significant ankle sprain earlier this week. It also interrupts Pena’s hot stretch, as he had been keeping Houston’s offense afloat. Pena previously spent time this year on the injured list with a fractured rib, although it is unknown if his oblique soreness is related to that injury, which was suffered in June.

Regardless, it is disappointing, as Pena had seemingly fully broken out in 2025. He won World Series MVP in 2022 when he led Houston to a championship with his excellent defense and timely hitting. However, that seemed more like a hot streak at the right time rather than a reflection of his actual abilities, as his numbers never quite reached that peak from 2023–2024. Pena’s bat has hit a turning point this season, and he made his first All-Star team after an incredible first half. His status will be monitored as the postseason approaches.