Astros promote Joey Loperfido, clouding Jose Abreu's role

Top prospect Joey Loperfido will join the Houston Astros before the start of a series with the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.

The Astros made the announcement Monday with 37-year-old first baseman Jose Abreu off to a slow start at the plate.

Houston opted not to keep Loperfido on the roster despite his .382 batting average in the Grapefruit League and flexibility as a first baseman, second baseman and outfielder. He played center field and left field during spring training games the past two years.

But the demotion to a fourth season in the minors in March didn't slow Loperfido down.

Loperfido ripped 13 home runs in 25 games with Triple-A Sugar Land this season to lead the minor leagues. Abreu has one extra-base hit and a batting average of .099 in 22 games.

Loperfido was Houston's minor league player of the year in 2023. He's currently batting .287 with 27 RBIs and is tied for third in the minors with 17 extra-base hits.

Abreu signed a three-year, $58.5 million deal prior to last season.

Houston will make a corresponding roster move on Tuesday, when the Astros start a six-game homestand.