Jose Abreu Up To Five Home Runs In Puerto Rican Winter League
Free agent first baseman Jose Abreu took a break from baseball last July after he was released by the Astros and no team picked him up. The 37-year-old, who will turn 38 in January, was hopeful to return to MLB in 2025. Now, the veteran is playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League and, while the level of competition is more akin to the minor leagues, he's showing there is a little pop left in his bat. Through 20 games, the veteran is hitting just .244 with 19 strikeouts to only three walks, but he's belted the second-most home runs in the circuit so far with five long balls, as well as four doubles in 78 at-bats. After such a dismal performance over the last two seasons in Houston (.217/.275/.351, 72 wRC+), it might take more than that to pique the interest of a big league club, but it's a start. Whether he signs on with one or not, however, we have likely seen the end of Abreu's fantasy relevance.
Free-agent first baseman Jose Abreu will most likely not play for the remainder of the 2024 season, according to sources. It's believed that Abreu will take a break, and if conditions are right, he'll try to return in 2025 if he's given another opportunity with a big-league organization. The former American League MVP fell off a cliff this year and was released by the Houston Astros after hitting a miserable .124/.167/.195 with two home runs, seven RBI and 10 runs scored in 35 games played. The 37-year-old probably doesn't have much left, but he'll see if another team will give him an opportunity as a right-handed veteran bat next year. If this is the end for the Cuban slugger, he'll finish his MLB career with a .283/.345/.488 slash line with an .833 OPS, 263 home runs and 960 RBI in 1,446 games over 11 seasons in the league.
Jose Abreu Recalled, Joey Loperfido Optioned To Triple-A
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday. He is back in the starting lineup at first base and batting eighth against the Seattle Mariners. Joey Loperfido was optioned back to Triple-A as a corresponding move. Abreu was demoted to the minor leagues after a horrific start to the season that saw him slashing .099/.156/.113 through 22 games. The veteran slugger was also pretty dismal throughout the 2023 campaign, so a return to fantasy relevance seems unlikely at this point. Abreu will also have to battle Jon Singleton, who is starting at DH tonight, for regular playing time. As for Loperfido, the team's sixth-ranked prospect performed well in limited at-bats. He remains a player of interest in dynasty formats, but him and Abreu are both non-factors in redraft leagues at this point.
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu will return to the team on Monday to kick off their series against the Seattle Mariners. Abreu had most recently been with Triple-A Sugar Land after the Astros optioned him to the minors due to his early-season struggles. The veteran slugger had produced a dismal .099/.156/.113 slash line with no home runs, three RBI and a 3:18 BB:K through 22 games in 2024. While he had some production in the Florida Complex League immediately after his demotion, he actually went hitless across his seven at-bats in Triple-A. Even with Abreu returning, there is no guarantee he gets regular playing time over Jon Singleton. The former MVP is best left on the waiver wire at this point.
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu will remain in West Palm Beach and play Florida Complex League games on Wednesday and Thursday before reporting to Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend, according to manager Joe Espada. It was reported earlier this week that Abreu could rejoin the big-league roster by Friday for the series opener against the Oakland Athletics, but it looks like that won't be the case. The 37-year-old veteran Cuban slugger agreed to head to the minors after starting the 2024 season with a lowly .099 average (7-for-71) with no homers, three RBI and 18 strikeouts in his first 22 games. He's played in four games in the FCL so far, going 6-for-18 (.333) with two doubles and two RBI. When Abreu does return to the Astros, it could just be in a platoon role at first base with the left-handed-hitting Jon Singleton.
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu could return to the majors on Friday, according to general manager Dana Brown. Abreu will play in a few more minor-league games before the team makes their decision. The veteran slugger was sent down to the Florida Complex League after a horrific start to the season that saw him carrying a .099/.156/.113 slash line. Jon Singleton has seen most of the playing time at first base while Abreu has been away. Singleton could continue to see action even when Abreu comes back as there is no guarantee that Abreu will return to an everyday role.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada told SportsTalk790 that there is no timetable for first baseman Jose Abreu to return to the big-league roster. Abreu was sent down to the Florida Complex League on April 30 to help with his swing. Before being optioned, Abreu struggled at the plate, slashing .099/.156/.113 with zero home runs and three RBI. With Abreu in the minor leagues, Houston has been starting Jon Singleton at first base. Singleton is slashing .258/.329/.435 this season with three home runs and eight RBI. If Abreu does return to the MLB, he will need to prove he can produce offensively to be an everyday player for the Astros once again.
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said that the team and struggling first baseman Jose Abreu have decided that he will be optioned to the Florida Complex League in West Palm Beach, Florida, effective on Wednesday "to get some at-bats and his timing back right." The 37-year-old right-handed slugger also got off to a slow start with the Astros last year, but his struggles this year have fallen to another level. He's currently slashing an embarrassing .099/.156/.113 with no home runs, three RBI, three walks and 18 strikeouts in 77 plate appearances over 22 games. Abreu was a virtual lock for 100 RBI each season during his time with the Chicago White Sox from 2014-22, but he's fallen on hard time in Houston and isn't a must-stash in mixed fantasy leagues. Jon Singleton will see more playing time at first base now that Abreu is headed to the farm.
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu and outfielders Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers are all sitting out on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals in the series finale. Jon Singleton is at first base and batting sixth, Mauricio Dubon is in center field and batting ninth, and Yainer Diaz is serving as the designated hitter and hitting fifth in the order versus Royals right-hander Brady Singer. Just like last year, the 37-year-old Abreu has been ice-cold offensively in the early going for the 'Stros, going 3-for-37 (.081) with no home runs, one RBI and 13 strikeouts in his first 41 plate appearances. He could use a day off. If the veteran first baseman continues to struggle, Houston could give him more frequent days on the bench. None of Singleton, Dubon or Diaz have ever faced Singer in their careers.
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu has been dropped down in the lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Texas Rangers. The 37-year-old is regressing rapidly as he is having a horrible start to the season. So far, Abreu is slashing .105/.190/.105 with zero RBI and a 6/1 K/BB ratio in 21 plate appearances. On Friday, Abreu will fall to the seventh spot in the batting order against left-hander Cody Bradford. Fantasy managers should expect Abreu to pick it up somewhat, but it's unlikely that he holds steady fantasy value.
