Houston Astros first baseman José Abreu is “doing well” as he attempts to rediscover his swing in extended spring training. Abreu got off to a brutal start to the 2024 season. In his first 22 games of the season, Abreu was 7-for-71 (.099) with zero homers, three RBI, and 18 strikeouts. So, the Houston Astros mutually optioned him to West Palm Beach to work on his swing in extended spring training.
According to Astros manager Joe Espada, the veteran first baseman is “in a really good place.” Abreu is taking between seven to eight at-bats in live batting practice, but he’s not playing in any games yet.
Houston signed the 37-year-old former MVP to a three-year, $58.5 million contract shortly after winning the World Series in 2022. Abreu was slow to open the 2023 season but eventually came around, finishing with 18 home runs and 90 RBI. José Abreu had long been one of the best middle-of-the-order run producers in baseball. He spent nine years with the Chicago White Sox where he won his first MVP, three Silver Sluggers, and was a two-time American League RBI leader. However, Abreu has been a .221 hitter in an Astros uniform with 18 homers, 93 RBI, and a .632 OPS.
José Abreu is not with the Astros, GM Dana Brown said. Both sides decided that Abreu will be optioned to West Palm Beach effective tomorrow “to get some at-bats and his timing back right.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 30, 2024
Astros’ José Abreu “Doing Well” After Minor League Option
Espada said Sunday that he speaks to Abreu “often” and that he’s “doing well” after being optioned to West Palm Beach. Abreu has been working with Astros Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell and the Astros hitting coaches on improving his timing.
The Astros rookie skipper said that he is “getting some good reports from coaches and strength coaches” about Abreu’s progress. With the rookie-level Florida Complex League beginning its season this week, it seems the next step will be getting Abreu back into games. Houston wants Abreu to “get a refresh” and hasn’t given a timeline for when he could rejoin the Astros lineup.
José Abreu is not yet playing in any games in West Palm Beach, Joe Espada said today. Abreu is only taking live batting practice. Asked if Abreu could be back within the month, Espada declined to offer a timetable for his return.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 16, 2024
“In my conversations with him, it sounds like he’s getting that refresh,” Espada said. “He’s in a really good place. So hopefully that turns into good results for him, both personally and on the baseball field.”
Since Abreu was optioned, Jon Singleton has served as the everyday first baseman for the Astros. Singleton enters Friday’s series opener batting .209/.318/.363 with four home runs and 10 RBI over 31 games.
Photo Credit: © Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
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