Shortstop Jeremy Peña left the Astros’ loss Saturday due to a right hamstring cramp and first baseman Christian Walker due to right hip tightness. Both remained on the active roster Sunday, though neither was in the starting lineup.
Manager Joe Espada said pregame that both Peña and Walker were “feeling better” and doing baseball activity to determine if they would be available off the bench. Espada expressed hope that both players can avoid a significant absence.
“They walked in here feeling better so hopefully this is something that is just going to take a day or two,” Espada said. “They’re going through some baseball stuff right now. Hopefully they can be available.”
Delgado, recalled for infield coverage, drew a start Sunday at second base, with Jose Altuve starting at designated hitter. In a corresponding move, Houston designated reliever Nate Pearson for assignment.
The move with Pearson is another mark against the Astros’ series of pitching additions last offseason. General manager Dana Brown acquired six pitchers via major-league free agency (Tatsuya Imai, Ryan Weiss and Pearson), trades (Mike Burrows, Kai-Wei Teng) and the Rule 5 draft (Roddery Muñoz).
Weiss, Muñoz and now Pearson have all been designated for assignment. Burrows and Teng were both optioned to Triple-A before those options were nullified and the team instead put them on the injured list. Burrows is still on the IL and Teng rejoined the Astros’ bullpen this week.
Imai has a 6.06 ERA in 13 starts. None of the six pitchers have spent the full season on Houston’s active roster. They have combined for a 5.73 ERA in 260 ⅔ major-league innings for the Astros.
Pearson, who started the season on the IL recovering from elbow soreness, joined Houston’s bullpen in May and posted a 3.60 ERA in 16 outings. Despite velocity that touched triple digits, he did not become an option in high-leverage situations and entered just three games with the Astros leading.
By sending Pearson out for Delgado, the Astros played Sunday with 14 position players and 12 pitchers. They will add at least one pitcher Monday, when Ronel Blanco is reinstated from the IL to start against the Marlins. Reliever Bennett Sousa also remains “close” to activation from the IL, Espada said.