Peña returns from 10-day IL stint; Astros DFA Shewmake

ARLINGTON -- The Astros are a much better offense when shortstop Jeremy Peña is in the lineup, which is why manager Joe Espada was thrilled to again write Peña’s name into the top spot of his batting order prior to Friday’s game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

The Astros are 26-22 when Peña plays and 20-27 without him.

Peña was reinstated from the injured list Friday, spending only 10 days on the shelf after straining his calf on June 30. To make room on the roster, Houston designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment.

“He’s a sparkplug to our lineup and [the lineup] feels stronger, longer and more productive when he’s in there on both sides of the ball,” Espada said. “I’m excited to have him back, especially in this series where we have a chance to make up some ground here in the [American League] West.

Despite dealing with the calf strain for more than a week before his IL stint, Peña had been on a hot streak. He hit .381 with an .816 OPS in the five games before he went down and had hit .319 overall in June with three homers and an .865 OPS.

The calf issue led to Peña's second IL stint of the season after a right hamstring strain back in April sidelined him for more than a month. Since his return on May 18 from that injury, he's hitting .307 with six homers and an .843 OPS. Overall, this season, Peña's hitting .295 with a .799 OPS in 48 games.