Falling former MVP to join Houston Astros against Seattle Mariners

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Houston Astros first baseman José Abreu is expected to rejoin the club Monday against the Seattle Mariners after an extended stint in the minors to get back into rhythm at the plate.

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The 2020 AL MVP was optioned to the franchise’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., this month and joined Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday for at least two games with the Cowboys. It was still unclear whether he would play again Sunday before traveling to Seattle or whether he would only travel Sunday, according to manager Joe Espada.

Houston will play a four-game series against the Mariners starting Monday.

“The plan is to bring him for the Seattle series and come in with confidence,” Espada said. “He’s made some adjustments that we think are going to help him and we’re just expecting him to come back here and just be himself and we’re going to help him, get him rolling. We’re all expecting that, our players are excited, we can’t wait to have him back, so we’re looking forward to it.

Abreu, in the second season of a three-year, $58.5 million contract and his 11th year in the majors, is hitting .099 with just one extra-base hit and three RBIs. In 77 plate appearances in 22 games this season, Abreu has just seven hits.

He hit .237 with 18 homers and 90 RBIs last season, his first in Houston after nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox. With Houston, Abreu has four home runs and 13 RBIs in 11 playoff games.

Abreu was named the 2014 AL Rookie of the Year and a three-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner.

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