Houston Astros first baseman José Abreu has been sent down to the team’s spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla. The decision comes after the 37-year-old player’s poor performance this season, with just seven hits in his first 71 at-bats.
Abreu, who is in the second year of a three-year, $58.5 million contract, had a conversation with the Astros coaching staff and front office where they all agreed he needed to work on his performance. As Abreu has over five years of major-league service time, he had to consent to being optioned.
There is no set timetable for Abreu’s return to the major leagues, but it is expected to be an extended stay in Florida to fine-tune his skills. The first baseman did not report to Minute Maid Park on Tuesday and was unavailable for comment.
The move is not official until Wednesday, so the Astros played Tuesday’s game a player short. Abreu recently expressed feeling embarrassed about his poor performance since joining the team in an ESPN story published on Tuesday.
The Astros, who are 10 games below .500 and 6 ½ games back in the American League West, could not afford to wait and see if Abreu could improve. His defensive struggles at first base also contributed to the decision to send him to the minor leagues.
Fans will have to wait and see how Abreu’s time in Florida will impact his future with the Astros as he works to improve his game and make his way back to the major leagues.
