HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña and first baseman Christian Walker were out of Sunday’s starting lineup against the Baltimore Orioles because of injuries.
“Hopefully this is something that is probably only going to take a day or two,” manager Joe Espada said. “They’re going through some baseball right now. Hopefully they can be available.”
Peña left Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles after suffering a right hamstring cramp during his at-bat in the third inning. It was the second time this season a hamstring cramp has forced him out of a game.
Walker left during his fourth-inning at-bat with right hip tightness.
Peña is batting .295 with six home runs and 22 RBIs this season, but two injury list trips have limited him to just 53 games. He missed more than a month after suffering a right hamstring strain on April 11, and a left calf strain sidelined him again earlier this month.
Walker is batting .234 with 20 home runs and 58 RBIs this season.
Also, right-hander Ronel Blanco will make his return from Tommy John surgery and start Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
Blanco was 3-4 with a 4.10 ERA in nine starts last season before undergoing surgery in June. In his first full season as a starter in 2024, he finished 13-6 with a 2.80 ERA, second best in the American League.
The Astros hope Blanco’s return can boost a rotation that entered Sunday with a 5.18 ERA, third worst in Major League baseball. He allowed two earned runs over 17 innings in five minor league rehab appearances.
“He feels good. His stuff looked really good in his (rehab) outings. Excited to have him back,” Espada said.
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Houston Astros' Christian Walker is taken back to the clubhouse by a trainer and manager Joe Espada without finishing his at bat against Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena attends batting practice before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Friday, July 17, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Sunday that it recalled its ambassador to Argentina after President Javier Milei insulted Brazilian officials while in their country.
The decision comes a day after Milei was in Sao Paulo participating in an event where Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, a son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, was confirmed as the presidential candidate of his father’s party.
During his speech at Saturday’s event, Milei accused Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of being a “thief” and a “delinquent,” among other things. Milei also accused Supreme Federal Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes of being “trash” after he denied the Argentine president a visit to Jair Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest serving a 27-year sentence over a coup attempt.
The president of the Supreme Federal Court, Minister Edson Fachin, said Milei’s comments were a “disrespectful reference to a magistrate of the highest court in the country, made on Brazilian soil.”
A spokesperson for Brazil’s foreign affairs ministry said Ambassador Julio Bitelli was recalled for consultations following Milei’s statements.
Lula has not publicly addressed Milei's remarks, but in an opinion piece published Sunday by The Washington Post in which he called U.S. tariffs against Brazil “a strategic mistake,” he asserted that “Brazil’s destiny is determined only by Brazilians without external interference, without subservience.”
Those comments come a day after Brazil's Foreign Ministry denied visas to two U.S. State Department officials who sought to travel to the South American nation next week. The ministry did not offer an explanation.
Lula is seeking reelection and will run against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, whose family has many ties with the Trump administration.
Brazilian Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro holds a Brazil national flag as Argentina's President Javier Milei holds an Argentina local selection jersey, during the Liberal Party convention where Bolsonaro was confirmed as the party's presidential candidate, in Sao Paulo, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)
Brazilian Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, right, handles an oversized pair of scissors, accompanied by Argentina's President Javier Milei during the Liberal Party convention where Bolsonaro was confirmed as the party's presidential candidate, in Sao Paulo, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Ettore Chiereguini)
