Astros' Jeremy Peña makes Opening Day roster and raises infield surplus questions

Jeremy Peña, returning from a March 4 finger fracture and one exhibition game in which he hit a home run, was named to the Astros' Opening Day roster. His availability increases competition for infield at-bats and leaves Isaac Paredes' role unclear.

Jeremy Peña is on the Houston Astros' Opening Day roster after recovering from a March 4 fractured finger and appearing in one exhibition game where he hit a home run. He had 11 Grapefruit League at-bats and four against Triple-A Sugar Land before the injury, and he entered spring training aiming to play a full 162 games. Peña is entering his third season of arbitration eligibility. The roster announcement arrives amid preexisting plans that had shifted Carlos Correa and Isaac Paredes to different infield roles while Peña was expected to be sidelined. Roster details: - Peña returned to game action in an exhibition at Daikin Park and hit a home run in that outing. - He had limited preseason plate appearances (11 Grapefruit League at-bats, four vs. Triple-A Sugar Land) before the injury. - The club had planned for Carlos Correa to play shortstop and for Isaac Paredes to move back to third base in Peña's absence; Paredes' path to regular at-bats is now unclear and the team pursued trade conversations during spring training. - Yordan Alvarez is expected to be used primarily as the designated hitter, though he may see occasional time in left field and could start Opening Day in left. - Top prospect Brice Matthews made the Opening Day roster, earning the final bench spot and receiving outfield exposure after a professional career as an infielder; Zach Cole was left off after a Grapefruit League marked by strikeouts. - The Astros will carry Rule 5 pick Roddery Muñoz and several other arms including Christian Roa, Kai-Wei Teng and AJ Blubaugh in the bullpen, and the club remains open to adding a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Summary: Peña's availability tightens the Astros' infield depth chart and complicates the playing-time outlook for Isaac Paredes and others. The team begins the season with Peña active and will open play against the Los Angeles Angels; roster adjustments and market searches for a left-handed outfielder were reported as ongoing.