HOUSTON – Comeback completed.
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña is set for Opening Day as the team announced its roster to start the season.
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The all-star infielder bashed a home run in the final exhibition game against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys as he has made a full recovery from a fractured right ring finger suffered while playing for the Dominican Republic.
The 394-foot home run showed he’s ready for the season and is part of the Opening Day roster.
Astros’ key players to watch heading into Opening Day
“I feel good,” he told reporters after an exhibition game against Triple A Sugar Land. 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.”
The Astros have flexibility in the infield. Carlos Correa, the third baseman, could have shifted to shortstop. Isaac Paredes can play third base, too.
Opening Day roster
Catchers: Yainer Diaz, Christian Vázquez
Infielders: Nick Allen, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Brice Matthews, Isaac Paredes, Jeremy Peña, Christian Walker
Outfielders: Yordan Alvarez, Joey Loperfido, Jake Meyers, Cam Smith
Starting pitchers: Hunter Brown, Mike Burrows, Tatsuya Imai, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr.
Bullpen: Bryan Abreu, AJ Blubaugh, Bryan King, Roddery Muñoz, Steven Okert, Christian Roa, Kai-Wei Teng, Ryan Weiss
There are a pair of local connections on the Astros’ Opening Day roster.
Atascosita graduate Brice Matthews made the cut.
A first-round draft pick in 2023, the local standout showed the ability to play in the outfield throughout spring training.
Roa is a Memorial High graduate from Texas A&M.
Outfielder Zach Dezenzo (right elbow sprain) has been placed on the 10-day IL.
Right handed pitcher Ronel Blanco (recovery from right elbow surgery), Enyel De Los Santos (right knee strain), LHP Josh Hader (left biceps tendinitis), RHP Nate Pearson (recovery from right elbow surgery), LHP Bennett Sousa (left oblique strain) and RHP Hayden Wesneski (recovery from right elbow surgery) have been placed on the 15-day IL.
Pitcher Brandon Walter (recovery from left elbow surgery) has been placed on the 60-day IL.
César Salazar has been designated for assignment.
Zach Cole has been optioned to Triple A Sugar Land.
Making the Opening Day roster for the first time: Mike Burrows, AJ Blubaugh, Tatsuya Imai, Joey Loperfido, Matthews, Roddery Muñoz, Roa, Kai-Wei Teng and Ryan Weiss.
This marks Jose Altuve’s 14th career Openign Day roster.
The Opening Game is set for 3:10 p.m. Central against the Los Angeles Angeles.
Hunter Brown will start for the first time on Opening Day.
Aaron Wilson is a reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houstoncom