Trending Now - Jeremy Peña Out of Classic Due to Finger Fracture Diagnosis
WHO:
Jeremy Peña, All-Star shortstop for the Houston Astros
Joe Espada, Astros manager
Dana Brown, Astros general manager
Albert Pujols, Dominican Republic national team manager
Wenceel Pérez, player for the Detroit Tigers
Zach Dezenzo, player for Italy
Shay Whitcomb, player for Korea
Jose Altuve, player for Venezuela
Carlos Correa, player for Puerto Rico
Isaac Paredes, infielder for the Astros
WHAT:
Peña has a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger.
Peña was removed from an exhibition game after three innings due to the injury.
Peña fielded a ground ball and was seen looking at his finger after the play.
Peña will be reevaluated in two weeks.
The Dominican Republic team will begin group play in the World Baseball Classic on March 6, 2026, against Nicaragua.
Peña is one of three Astros players competing in the World Baseball Classic.
WHERE:
West Palm Beach, Florida (Astros spring training complex)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (exhibition game location)
Miami, Florida (World Baseball Classic location)
WHEN:
Injury occurred on March 5, 2026, during an exhibition game.
Peña was sent to see a hand specialist on March 5, 2026.
The Dominican Republic's first game in the World Baseball Classic is on March 6, 2026.
Peña's reevaluation is scheduled for March 19, 2026.
The World Baseball Classic final is on March 17, 2026.
The Astros' season opener is on March 26, 2026.
WHY:
Peña sustained the injury while fielding a hard-hit ground ball during the exhibition game.
The injury has made Peña's availability for the World Baseball Classic unclear.
HOW:
Peña was seen looking at his finger after the ball struck his nail, causing some blood.
Peña underwent X-rays after the game to confirm the fracture diagnosis.
QUOTES:
Joe Espada: “Just the fact that he finished the inning, finished the play, felt good enough to go and get an at-bat -- we know how tough Jeremy is.”
Joe Espada: “He wanted to stay in the game.”
Dana Brown: “We’ll know more tomorrow [when] we get some X-rays.”
Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña suffered a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger during an exhibition game on March 5, leading to his removal after three innings. Peña was seen looking at his finger after fielding a ground ball, and he will be reevaluated in two weeks, leaving his availability for the World Baseball Classic uncertain as the Dominican Republic begins group play today against Nicaragua. Astros manager Joe Espada noted Peña's toughness, saying he wanted to stay in the game, while general manager Dana Brown mentioned they would have more information following the X-rays.