A Blow to the Lineup
The Houston Astros entered Sunday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles without two of their most consistent hitters, Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker, both listed as unavailable due to injury.
Peña, who has been battling a right hamstring cramp that forced him out of Saturday's game in the third inning, is currently batting .295 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 53 appearances this season.
Walker, meanwhile, left the game during his fourth‑inning at‑bat after feeling tightness in his right hip, and he is sitting at .234 with 20 homers and 58 RBIs for the year.
Rotation in Search of Stability
The Astros' pitching staff has struggled early in the season, posting a collective 5.18 ERA that ranks third worst in Major League Baseball.
Veteran right‑hander Ronel Blanco is slated to make his first start of the season on Monday against the Miami Marlins, marking his comeback from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him since June.
Blanco’s previous stint as a starter in 2024 saw him finish 13‑6 with a 2.80 ERA, a figure that placed him second in the American League, and he has been building up his workload through five rehab outings in the minors.
Manager Joe Espada expressed confidence that Blanco’s experience and proven track record could provide the stability the rotation desperately needs as the club looks to climb out of its early‑season slump.
While the Astros hope to rebound quickly, the immediate focus remains on rehabilitating Peña and Walker, whose timely returns could reshape the team's offensive outlook in the weeks ahead.