Undermanned Astros take aim at Twins in series opener

The Houston Astros enter a new series with the same old question.

When will the team's injury bug finally go away?

The Astros will be without another key player when they face the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a three-game series Monday night in Minneapolis.

Houston ended the weekend with 14 players on the injured list. A few -- such as shortstop Jeremy Pena, outfielder Jake Meyers and relief pitcher Nate Pearson -- could return during the Minnesota series, but the Astros learned Sunday that veteran second baseman Jose Altuve will be added to the injured list because of a strained oblique muscle.

Altuve, 36, is the face of the franchise. He is hitting .245 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 42 games this season, and he is 72 hits shy of 2,500 for his career.

Astros manager Joe Espada was forthright in his reaction to Altuve's injury, which happened Saturday. Altuve underwent imaging tests Sunday to determine the severity.

"Just not what we wanted to hear," Espada said. "But we find ourselves having to fight through this one here. Some of these young players will continue to get opportunities. And we should be getting Jeremy back, so we'll get that boost back in our offense and on the defensive side. We've just got to turn the page and get ready for Minnesota."

The Twins will go for back-to-back victories as they begin their series against Houston. Minnesota is coming off a series loss after dropping games Friday and Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, but the Twins staved off a sweep with a 5-4 win Sunday.

Ryan Jeffers hit a solo home run in the victory. He pulled the ball over the wall in left-center field and hopes to continue his success as Houston comes to town.

In 119 games last season, Jeffers hit nine home runs. He already is up to seven in 36 games this season.

"That was the goal this offseason," Jeffers said. "I was not shy about saying, ‘I want to do what I did last year but just add some more homers.' Be able to pull the ball more."

Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai (1-1, 9.24 ERA) will try to keep Jeffers and his Twins teammates at bay. Imai has allowed 13 runs on 12 hits in 12 2/3 innings to start his big-league career and will try to earn his first victory since April 4 against the Athletics.

This will be Imai's first start against the Twins.

Minnesota will counter with rookie left-hander Kendry Rojas (1-0, 2.45 ERA), who will make the first start of his brief big-league career. He has made three relief appearances since the Twins promoted him this season and has eight strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.

Rojas will replace Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson in the rotation. Woods Richardson was relegated to the bullpen after posting an 0-6 record and a 7.71 ERA through his first nine starts of the season.

Minnesota is 13-13 at home this season, while Houston is 7-15 on the road.

--Field Level Media