JOSÉ ABREU NEWS

Astros promote 1B prospect Loperfido as Abreu's struggles continue for slumping team

The Houston Astros are promoting first baseman Joey Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land as they try to solve problems at the position

APRIL 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits again amid slump Abreu is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Abreu is on the bench for the second time in three days after an 0-for-3 showing in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs dropped his season-long slash line to .065/.132/.081 over 68 plate appearances. Though Jon Singleton will pick up another start at Abreu's expense, prospect Joey Loperfido looks to be the longer-term replacement at first base if the Astros elect to move on from the struggling Abreu at any point. An outfielder for most of his minor-league career, Loperfido has made five starts at first base for Triple-A Sugar Land so far this season and has posted a 1.028 OPS over 20 games to put himself on the radar for a promotion.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

This HOFer looking to help get Abreu on track This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it reg...

APRIL 17 • MLB.COM

Out of lineup Sunday Abreu is out of the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Abreu will get a break Sunday as Jon Singleton will take the field at first base. The veteran infielder has seen the plate 28 times this year, slashing .077/.143/.077 with only two hits and two runs. Abreu's starting spot could be in question if the offensive struggles continue, especially with Triple-A prospect Joey Loperfido pushing for his major league debut.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Retreats to bench Wednesday Abreu is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Abreu was on the bench for Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees due to a sore hand, but he returned to the starting nine for both of the Astros' first two games against the Blue Jays, going 2-for-8 with a run scored. The Astros haven't indicated that Abreu suffered a setback with his hand in either contest, so his absence from the lineup Wednesday may be little more than a maintenance day. Jon Singleton will spell Abreu at first base and bat sixth.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to lineup Monday Abreu (hand) will start at first base and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Blue Jays, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Abreu was out of the lineup Sunday due to lingering soreness in his hand as a result of a hit-by-pitch Saturday, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go Monday. The veteran first baseman has yet to pick up a base hit this season.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Could see game action Sunday Abreu (knee) will go through full workouts Friday and Saturday with the goal of starting at designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Brian McTagga...

Impact The 37-year-old has been battling knee soreness over the past week, but a return to spring games this weekend would set him up in plenty of time for Opening Day. Abreu could see more days off and action at designated hitter this season after he posted a .679 OPS during his first campaign with Houston in 2023.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Workload could be managed Abreu could receive more days off, or see more time at DH during the 2024 season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Abreu had a disappointing 2023 campaign-- his first in Houston -- as he posted a career-worst 86 wRC+ and .295 wOBA. At least a portion of his struggles have been apportioned to a back injury that he dealt with for much of the season and played through until a stint on the injured list in mid-August. The Astros appear to be taking a proactive approach to managing Abreu's workload in 2024, though it's currently unclear if that means he will lose at-bats, or if it just means that he will shift to DH. In either scenario, Jon Singleton or Trey Cabbage could pick up some extra plate appearances.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Goes yard, grabs bag in win Abreu went 1-for-3 with a three run home run and a stolen base, adding two runs and three RBI in Thursday's 10-3 victory over the Rangers in Game 3 of the ALCS.

Impact Abreu has continued to develop upon his recent late-season power-hitting success right into the playoffs. He had a .505 slugging percentage over 93 at-bats in September, but he is now up to a .677 mark in 31 ABs since the postseason began. One area Abreu did not cover during the regular season was stolen bases, and Thursday was the first time Abreu has stolen a base all year and the first time in his postseason career. In the current playoff run, Abreu is slashing .258/.343/.677 with eight runs and 11 RBI, adding four home runs and Thursday's stolen base in 31 at-bats.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Astros' offensive fireworks even ALCS with Rangers - The Boston Globe Home runs from Jose Abreu and Chas McCormick powered Houston to its seventh straight win at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

2023 MLB odds: Why you should bet on Astros to win the ALCS, MVP pick

Astros baseball in October has become inevitable. FOX Sports MLB Betting Analyst Will Hill explains why you should bet the defending champs...

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Astros' patience pays off as Abreu comes up clutch in ALDS MINNEAPOLIS -- José Abreu had a rather inauspicious beginning to his Astros tenure, recording his worst season at the plate in a decade in t...

OCTOBER 12, 2023 • MLB.COM

Homers again Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and a walk Monday against the Orioles.

Impact Abreu delivered his 16th home run of the season and second in his last four games. He's performed very well overall since returning from a back injury Aug. 23, maintaining a .240 average with six home runs, 26 RBI and 13 runs scored across 75 at-bats. Abreu still owns a .subpar .235/.295/.371 line across 130 games, but he has managed to top his homer total from the 2022 season.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slugs 15th homer Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Royals.

Impact The veteran first baseman took Taylor Clarke deep in the ninth inning, one of the few bright spots on the night for the Astros. Abreu has been productive since returning from a back issue in late August, slashing .254/.329/.540 over 17 games with five of his 15 homers and 22 of his 78 RBI on the season.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Wednesday Abreu is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Athletics, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Abreu had started each of the last 11 games but will begin this one on the bench. Jon Singleton will man first base for Houston.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Massive performance in win Abreu went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double and seven RBI in Wednesday's 12-3 win over the Rangers.

Impact Abreu launched a grand slam in the third inning and padded the Astros' lead with a three-run blast in the ninth. Considering he went nearly two months without a homer to begin the season, he's done fairly well to get up to a dozen long balls this year, four of which have come in his last eight games. The first baseman is slashing .236/.295/.365 with 74 RBI, 51 runs scored and 18 doubles through 121 contests overall.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Abreu drives in 7 as Astros cap sweep of Rangers Jose Abreu matched his career high of seven RBIs with a grand slam and a three-run homer and the Houston Astros slugged five homers while co...

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Tallies another homer Abreu went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Yankees.

Impact Abreu led off the second inning with his 12th home run of the season. He continues to swing the bat well in six games since he's been activated from the injured list, tallying seven hits across 24 at-bats with two homers, seven RBI and four runs scored. He should remain locked into playing at first base and has most recently hit fifth in the order.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Wednesday Abreu is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Impact Abreu has put together some good at-bats since being activated from the 10-day injured list exactly a week ago, as he's slashing .300/.391/.500 with a pair of extra-base hits and three walks against two strikeouts in his first five games back in action. He'll give way to Jon Singleton at first base in the day game after a night game, but Abreu still appears to be locked in as Houston's primary first baseman, despite enduring a career-worst season during his first year with the Astros.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

First homer since return Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI, two walks and a run scored Monday against the Red Sox.

Impact Abreu got the scoring started for Houston with a solo homer off Chris Sale in the second inning -- his first since being activated from the injured list Aug. 23. He's produced plenty in the four games since, going 5-for-17 with five RBI and two runs scored. Abreu's increased production has stretched a bit further, as he also has four home runs, 16 RBI and 16 runs scored in 27 games since the All-Star break.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets day off Abreu is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Impact Abreu will get a breather for the day game after he started in three of the Astros' first four games following his activation from the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Jon Singleton will get the starting nod at first base Sunday, but Abreu should serve as the primary option at the position now that he's ostensibly healthy again.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE