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The Houston Astros were supposed to be getting Jeremy Peña back. Instead, his rehab assignment just created a new reason to worry.

Peña missed his scheduled rehab game Wednesday with Double-A Corpus Christi after suffering neck soreness from a violent collision the night before, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. That setback came during what was supposed to be one of the final steps in his return from a hamstring strain.

Now, Houston has to wait again.

Peña played shortstop and hit leadoff Tuesday in his first rehab game, going 1-for-2 before the night took an ugly turn. He collided with a baserunner, got flipped onto his back, and later exited after a pitch hit him on the right forearm.

The Astros planned to use Peña as the designated hitter Wednesday. Instead, he only went through pregame work.

“I talked to him earlier today and the neck is still sore,” Astros manager Joe Espada said, according to MLB.com. “Hopefully we can get him in there tomorrow.”

That sounds cautious. It also sounds familiar.

Astros Face Another Peña Injury Concern

GettyJeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros reacts at second base after hitting a lead-off double against the Athletics in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on April 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

This is no longer just about one missed rehab game.

Peña has played only 10 major league games this season. First, he fractured the tip of his right ring finger during an exhibition game while playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Then, a hamstring strain sent him to the injured list for more than a month.

Now, just as Houston appeared close to getting him back, another physical issue has entered the picture.

That matters because the Astros are not waiting on a role player. They are waiting on one of the most important pieces of their lineup.

Peña hit .304 with a .363 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, and 20 stolen bases last season. He made his first All-Star team, won the Astros’ team MVP award, and became one of the club’s most reliable table-setters.

That version of Peña changes Houston’s offense.

The problem is the Astros have barely seen him this year.

Peña’s Absence Could Shape Houston’s Season

GettyJeremy Pena #3 of the Houston Astros receives the throw to catch the runner during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images)

Houston already knows how costly Peña’s injuries can become.

Last season, he missed time with a fractured rib and later sat out the final week with a strained oblique. The Astros eventually missed the playoffs by tiebreaker, ending their run of eight straight postseason appearances.

That history makes this latest delay feel more significant.

The Astros need Peña healthy not just because of what he does defensively at shortstop, but because his growth as a hitter changed the structure of their lineup. He is no longer just the former World Series MVP who replaced Carlos Correa. He is now a core player Houston depends on every day.

That is why the Astros cannot afford to rush him back.

A sore neck after a hard collision may not become a major setback. But for a player who has already spent much of the year dealing with injuries, even a short delay creates real tension.

Houston may still get Peña back next week. But this rehab scare made one thing clear: the Astros’ season looks far more stable when Peña is healthy, and far more uncertain when his availability remains in question.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia