Peña back in Astros' lineup, but Opening Day status still uncertain

HOUSTON -- Jeremy Peña is returning to return to the lineup on Tuesday night in the Astros’ final exhibition game against their Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

Peña’s availability for Opening Day might not be known until Thursday, as manager Joe Espada said the plan was for his All-Star shortstop to play six innings Tuesday and take part in live batting practice on Wednesday as part of a workout.

Peña has been sidelined since fracturing his right ring finger at the tip during an exhibition on March 4 while playing for the Dominican Republic against the Tigers. The All-Star shortstop resumed swinging a bat last Friday.

Espada reiterated that Peña still had things to check off before the Astros would know if he was ready for Opening Day.

“Our lineup just gets deeper and better when he’s in there,” Espada said. “We saw what he did last year and what he brings to our team, both offensively and defensively. Just to get him there, we are one step at a time.

“We’re going to give him at-bats today, check with him after the game, give him at-bats tomorrow, see how he feels, see what he needs and then, we will make the decision on what’s best for him and what’s best for the team.”

Peña saw limited time in Spring Training games before the injury, going 2-for-11. He is coming off a season where he hit .304 with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs.

“When Jeremy is on the field, we are a way, way better team,” Espada said. “Right now, when we are full, when we are healthy and we are loaded, our lineup is a really good lineup. He’s that piece right now. When he clears these next few hurdles, we’ll be ready to go.”

Outside of Peña, the Astros’ Opening Day roster was becoming a bit clearer, at least at catcher.

Backup César Salazar was informed he was not going to make the Major League roster and would be placed on waivers, meaning Christian Vázquez, whom the Astros signed to a Minor League contract on March 7, will make the roster.

Espada said the conversation with Salazar was a “very, very difficult” one.

“It’s how we feel about César and what he means to the organization,” Espada said. “His relationship with the players, the human being he is, but we had to make that very difficult decision.”

Vázquez is no stranger to the Astros after joining the team at the Trade Deadline in 2022 and playing a role in Houston’s World Series win that season.

“We know Christian Vázquez really well,” Espada said. “The experience that he brings to our club, he’s played some big games throughout his career. The value, the credibility that he adds to the team, we took those qualities and also all the things into consideration when we made this decision.”

In addition, right-handed pitcher Peter Lambert asked for and was granted his release by the Astros.