Mar 25, 2026, 12:53 PM ET<\/p>\n
Houston Astros<\/a> starting shortstop Jeremy Pena<\/a> was included on the Opening Day roster Wednesday and will avoid the injured list after fracturing his fingertip prior to the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n Pena suffered the injury during an exhibition while playing for the Dominican Republic on March 4. He saw his first game action since in Tuesday’s exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land, hitting a 394-foot home run for his only hit in four at-bats.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n “I felt good,” Pena told reporters. “I feel like right now the concern is not the finger. The finger feels good to go. It’s a matter of getting at-bats and feeling like you’re ready. I’ve been out since March 4, and I haven’t seen any pitching at all, so it’s a matter of getting back to that game mode.”<\/p>\n The Astros open the season at home against the Los Angeles Angels<\/a> on Thursday.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old was a first-time All-Star last year, when he hit .304 with 17 homers, 62 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and an .840 OPS.<\/p>\n Astros closer Josh Hader<\/a>, as expected,<\/a> was placed on the injured list as he continues to recover from biceps inflammation. He missed the end of last season with a shoulder capsule strain, was 6-2 with 28 saves and a 2.05 ERA in 48 appearances last season.<\/p>\n