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Jun 30, 2026

Jeremy Pena's IL News Puts End to Yankees' Trade Dreams (Who Else Can They Target?)

Jeremy Pena's IL News Puts End to Yankees' Trade Dreams (Who Else Can They Target?)

The Yankees could be ready to move on from shortstop Anthony Volpe, but it's doubtful that the Astros' Jeremy Pena is the next man up.Michael Rosenstein|
Jeremy Pena likely won't be a potential Yankees trade target after the latest news surrounding him.
Jeremy Pena likely won't be a potential Yankees trade target after the latest news surrounding him. | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

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New York Yankees

It's no secret the Yankees aren't enamored with shortstop Anthony Volpe. And it's no secret the MLB rumor mill has Yankees general manager Brian Cashman linked to several infield upgrades ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, especially as second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. faces an uncertain future after Monday's concussion scare.

Some of that buzz is focused on Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña as the American League West club sits three games under .500 as of Tuesday. But don't expect to see him in pinstripes any time soon.

That's because the Astros placed Peña on the 10-day injured list Monday with a mild left calf strain, pouring cold water on any potential plans to get him to the Bronx.

Astros place Jeremy Pena on IL, squashing Yankees' trade hopes

It’s going to be a minimum—hopefully minimum—IL stint,” Astros manager (and former Yankees coach) Joe Espada said, according to MLB.com's Jeremy Rakes. “Hopefully, it won’t take him very long to get back.”

But keep in mind Peña already missed a month earlier this season after landing on the injured list with a right hamstring strain.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena hits the ball.
Jeremy Peña might not be leaving Houston after all, now that he's on the IL five weeks before the MLB trade deadline. | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Why all the fuss about Peña? The five-year veteran's resume includes an All-Star appearance last season and a Gold Glove Award in 2022, while on his way to finishing fifth in voting for American League Rookie of the Year. He capped off that impressive rookie campaign by winning both the AL Championship Series MVP and the World Series MVP.

This year, Peña is hitting an impressive .295 with six home runs, .799 OPS and 2.0 WAR in 48 games. Compare that to Volpe, who's hitting .247 with one home run, .691 OPS and 0.8 WAR in 36 games.

Peña, who ranks No. 3 on ESPN's list of top trade targets, wouldn't be a short-term solution for the Yankees, as the 28-year-old is under team control through the 2027 season.

"Peña is a free agent after next season with no momentum toward an extension," the New York Post's Joel Sherman reported on June 20.

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