Back with Astros, Jose Abreu has RBI single in loss to Mariners

Jose Abreu is back in the majors after the Houston Astros recalled the struggling first baseman prior to Monday night's game at the Seattle Mariners.

The veteran delivered an RBI single in his return, cutting the Mariners' lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning of a 3-2 Houston loss. It was his first big league hit since April 27.

Abreu was batting .099 (7-for-71) with just one extra-base hit and 18 strikeouts in 22 games before Houston demoted him to the club's spring training site in West Palm Beach, Florida, on May 1. He was shifted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday and went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in two games.

Abreu played first base and hit eighth on Monday. He finished 1-for-3, upping his average to .108.

Abreu, 37, hit .237 with 18 homers and 90 RBIs in 141 games for Houston last season, his first with the club. Prior to that, he spent nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox and was the American League MVP in 2020.

Right-hander Cristian Javier (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list as part of the Astros' other moves, retroactive to Friday. Javier, 27, was scheduled to start Tuesday's game against Seattle but was unable to throw his scheduled Sunday bullpen session because of discomfort in his forearm.

He will undergo an MRI, manager Joe Espada said.

Javier, who is 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts, experienced a reduction in velocity in his last outing. He received a no-decision while allowing four runs and eight hits over four innings against the Los Angeles Angels.

Espada also said Jose Urquidy will undergo an MRI due to forearm discomfort. Urquidy, who has yet to pitch in the majors this season, was making his third rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday whenhe was pulled after 3 innings.

Houston also recalled right-hander Alex Speas from Sugar Land. On Sunday, Houston optioned infielder/outfielder Joey Loperfido to the same affiliate.

The Associated Press and Field Level Media contributed to this report.