Nick

Allen

The 29-year-old slugger has shouldered a heavy workload this season, so getting him a day off against tough right-hander Drew Rasmussen isn’t the worst idea in the world. Alvarez is just 7-for-33 (.212) in the month of September and has hit just three home runs over his last 38 games. He also had a minor injury scare with his ankle on Thursday, so it’s possible that played into the decision as well. Jose Altuve will function as the team’s designated hitter while Nick Allen starts at second base and will bat ninth for the Astros.

Peña was pulled from Wednesday’s game in the first inning after being struck in the hand by a 100-mph sinker from Angels’ right-hander Walbert Ureña. Fortunately, he was able to avoid any structural damage and is only dealing with a bit of pain and swelling. He’s considered day-to-day. Nick Allen will start in his place at shortstop on Thursday night and will bat eighth against Halos’ right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.

This is a bit of a mental reset for Paredes with a day game after a night game. The third baseman is in an 0-for-15 slump, and manager Joe Espada said, “I see him trying to do a little bit too much at the plate.” Nick Allen will start at third base and bat ninth.

Altuve will get a much-needed mental break after going 0-for-4 and grounding into a triple play during Tuesday’s game in Miami. The 36-year-old veteran takes a seat for the first time since May 28. It’ll be defensive specialist Nick Allen taking over at the keystone in this one.

The good news is that Peña feels much improved after exiting Saturday’s game with a right hamstring cramp and isn’t expected to require a trip to the injured list. Nick Allen will start in his place at shortstop and will bat ninth for the Astros against Brandon Young and the Orioles on Sunday afternoon in Houston.

Delgado is assuredly heading for imaging to determine whether he suffered any fractures after taking a bad hop off his throwing hand in the fifth inning. The 26-year-old rookie has been splitting time with Nick Allen at shortstop with Jeremy Peña on the shelf with a mild calf strain.

Espada added that it should be a minimum stint for Peña, who is headed back to the injured list for the second time this season, after an MRI showed a relatively mild calf strain that caused him to sit out Monday’s series opener against the Twins with leg discomfort. The 28-year-old shortstop has been on a tear at the plate recently, hitting .319 (29-for-91) with three homers, 13 RBI and five steals since the start of June. It’ll likely be defensive wizard Nick Allen handling the position in his absence.

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Peña will undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the issue. There should be some additional clarity on his status after the contest. The 28-year-old shortstop has been on a tear at the plate recently, hitting .319 (29-for-91) with three homers, 13 RBI and five steals since the start of June. He’s presumably day-to-day for now. It’ll be Nick Allen filling in at shortstop in his return from the injured list on Monday night.

Allen returns to Houston’s active roster in a versatile bench role following a three-week absence due to a hamstring strain. the 27-year-old has been better than expected at the plate this season, hitting .266/.304/.344 with one homer and one steal through 70 plate appearances over 37 games.

The 27-year-old defensive specialist has been shelved since early June due to a left hamstring strain. He should only need a handful of games there before he’s ready to rejoin the Astros, provided there’s a spot available for him on the bench.