HOUSTON (AP) — Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña was held out of the lineup for a second straight game on Sunday but continues to make progress after leaving the Astros' win over the Cubs on Friday in the fifth inning because of rib soreness, manager Joe Espada said.
Peña was hit in the ribs by Cade Horton’s pitch during the second inning of the Astros' 7-4 victory. Imaging done Friday did not reveal a fracture, and Peña has been able to swing a bat the last two days.
“It’s just still pretty sore, so no need to rush to get him in there,” Espada said.
The Astros are off on Monday before starting a series in Colorado on Tuesday.
Peña played in the Astros’ first 82 games of the season and batted .322 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI.
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Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña, right, celebrates with Mauricio Dubón after scoring during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña gestures after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Peña celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool's squad for the Premier League match against Brighton on Saturday after holding talks with manager Arne Slot, a week after the star's explosive outburst threw his future at the club into doubt.
Salah was named as a substitute for the game at Anfield and emerged for the pre-match warm-up with his teammates to applause from Liverpool fans. The Egypt forward walked onto the field alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, who put his arm around Salah's shoulder.
Salah told reporters last weekend that his relationship with Slot had broken down after being dropped for three straight games and that he felt like “someone doesn’t want me in the club.”
He was then left at home when Liverpool traveled to Inter Milan for a Champions League match on Tuesday, with Slot saying he did not know if Salah would play again for the club.
Salah was an unused substitute for the 3-3 draw with Leeds last Saturday, after which he opened up on his frustrations. Before that, he'd been an unused sub in a win at West Ham and came on at halftime of a home draw against Sunderland.
Salah is Liverpool's biggest star and also the club’s record scorer in the Premier League. He has four league goals in 13 appearances this season.
He is due to head off to the Africa Cup of Nations next week and said last week he did not know what would happen while he was away.
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Liverpool's manager Arne Slot applauds at the end of a Champions League, league phase, soccer match between Inter Milan and Liverpool in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Dec.9, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah smiles as he takes part in a training session in Liverpool, England, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
