Houston will see shortstop Jeremy Peña take the field Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, ending a brief absence that began with the season‑opening loss. The All‑Star broke his right index finger in a Dominican Republic exhibition ahead of the World Baseball Classic, forcing him to sit out Opening Day. He spent Thursday catching live pitches with Triple‑A Sugar Land, confirming his health.

Peña’s return arrives as the Astros chase a strong start in the AL West. Last season he posted a .304 average, belted 17 homers and drove in 62 runs over 125 games, while swiping 20 bases. His All‑Star selection and tenth‑place finish in MVP voting underscored his offensive value, making his lineup slot vital for Houston’s early momentum.

Manager Joe Espada confirmed Peña feels fine and expressed enthusiasm about the shortstop’s return, noting the clubhouse’s relief. With the right side of the infield back, Houston can field its full defensive alignment and keep the offensive spark that propelled them last year. Peña will line up at shortstop Friday, giving the Astros a complete roster for the series opener.