Houston Astros Activate Star Following Injury

The Houston Astros activated first baseman Jose Abreu from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, one day after manager Dusty Baker said that he hoped Abreu would be available by the end of this homestand.

The homestand ends on Thursday against Boston.

Among the outlets that reported the news of Abreu’s activation was AT&T SportsNet Southwest.

Abreu was in the Astros’ posted starting lineup. He will bat sixth and play first base in Wednesday’s game with the Red Sox.

With a win, the Astros can tie the Texas Rangers for the lead in the American League West.

To make room for Abreu, the Astros sent David Hensley back to Triple-A Sugar Land. He’s appeared in one game since joining the Astros on Aug. 12, going hitless in one at-bat on Saturday.

The Astros put Abreu on the injured list on Aug. 12 (retroactive to Aug. 10) with what was diagnosed as lumbar spine inflammation. In the past few days Abreu has taken part in batting practice, fielding drills and running the bases during his rehab.

He first experienced lower back discomfort in Baltimore and was held out of the final game of that series on Aug. 10.

Abreu has struggled at the plate this season, with a .234 batting average, 10 home runs and 56 RBI. He surged in June, but in his last 30 games he’s batted .217 with four home runs and 15 RBI.

The Astros signed Abreu to a three-year, $58.5 million deal in the offseason. His production hasn’t matched the deal, at least not yet.

With the Chicago White Sox from 2014-22 he was the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year, the 2020 AL MVP, a three-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger. With the White Sox he batted .292 with 243 home runs and 863 RBI.

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