Astros’ 40-man depth sent on rehab assignment

Astros’ Double-A infielder Joe Perez was sent on a rehab assignment Thursday.

Being on the 7-day injured list since May 4, Houston Astros‘ prospect Joe Perez was set on a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Astros Blue. The infielder last played in live action April 30 with Double-A Corpus Christi as a quad injury has kept him out for almost two months.

Perez was called up by the Astros in the Opening Series with the Los Angeles Angels, after Yuli Gurriel was placed on the paternity list. The 22-year-old was granted one at-bat late into the April 8 contest, striking out in his lone opportunity.

Through 13 Double-A games, the righty was slashing .196/.281/.275 with two extra-base hits and a 30% strikeout rate prior to his injury. The small sample size didn’t offer an evaluation for Perez’s second year in Double-A, and although working back on a rehab assignment, he is unlikely to play in the Major Leagues again this year.

As Perez offers depth at the corner infield positions and more recently right field, the Astros find the same contributions in more experienced utility players J.J. Matijevic and Taylor Jones — whose 20-day rehab window closed Wednesday night.

The Astros have a decision to make with Jake Meyers who also completed his 20-day rehab assignment Wednesday night. Meyers joined the Astros on Thursday in New York but will not be activated for the first game of the series, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reported.

Jones was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday while being optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land, the Astros announced. Josh James was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right-lat strain to make room as the right-hander was already on the 7-day injured list in the Minors.

Once Jeremy Peña returns from the 10-day injured list with his wrist ailment, Matijevic would be sent back to Triple-A Sugar Land as a corresponding move in the case of the current roster alignment.