HOUSTON -- All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña, who’s been out since he fractured a rib June 27, went 0-for-2 with two runs scored, two strikeouts, a walk and a hit by pitch in his first Minor League rehab start Tuesday night in Triple-A Sugar Land’s 8-5 loss to Tacoma.
Peña, who started the game as the designated hitter for the Space Cowboys, struck out twice against Tacoma pitcher Emerson Hancock before getting hit by a pitch in the sixth by Collin Snider and drawing a walk in the seventh against Joe Jacques.
Assuming he feels OK, Peña could be activated from the injured list as early as prior to Wednesday’s series finale against the Nationals at Daikin Park. The Astros are flying to Boston following Wednesday’s game, and Sugar Land plays a night game at home. Or, the Astros could choose for Peña to play one or two more rehab games before joining the team for Friday’s series opener at Fenway Park.
Peña landed on the injured list one day after being hit in the ribs by a pitch. He has been the Astros’ best player this year and was slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 homers, 40 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He had played in every game before the injury and was hitting .354 with a .941 OPS in 55 games after being moved to the leadoff spot.