Peña exits with right hand contusion after taking 100 mph off knuckle

HOUSTON -- Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Angels after two innings with a right hand contusion, the result of being hit by a 100 mph sinker thrown by Angels starter Walbert Ureña in the first inning.

Peña was struck on his knuckle while he swung at a pitch and was ruled out on a strikeout. He appeared to be in considerable pain, but stayed in the game by playing defense in the second and third innings. Nick Allen pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the third and struck out.

Peña spent 10 days on the injured list in early July with a calf strain. He was sidelined for more than a month in April with a hamstring strain.

Peña suffered a fracture to the tip of his right ring finger during an exhibition game while playing for the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team against the Tigers in March. That took him out of the WBC, but he managed to avoid the IL to begin the regular season.

Peña has been the Astros’ second-best hitter this season after American League Most Valuable Player candidate Yordan Alvarez but entered Wednesday in a 5-for-51 slump (.098).