Astros' Jose Abreu getting sent to A-ball after tumultuous start to season

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In his first 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, Jose Abreu was named to three All-Star Games, earned three Silver Slugger Awards, and won an MVP in the truncated 2020 season — soon, he is in A-ball.

The Houston Astros announced on Tuesday they will send the first baseman down to the minor leagues on Tuesday as he continues to struggle at the Major League level.

Abreu signed a three-year deal worth nearly $60 million with Houston prior to the 2023 season, and he posted career-lows with a .237/.296/.383 slashline — in 22 big league games this season, he's hitting .099.

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José Abreu #79 of the Houston Astros bats against the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park on April 17, 2024 in Houston, Texas.  (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

General manager Dana Brown said the decision was made after a meeting that included himself, Abreu, coaches and front-office personnel — as Abreu is long-non-arbitration eligible, he needed to accept the option.

Brown said Abreu was very receptive during their conversation and had a good attitude about the move.

"José Abreu is an outstanding human being," Brown said. "He is unselfish and he’s a teammates guy and he wants to get himself back to what he was doing last fall. And so, in the midst of this conversation, you could see that this guy is passionate and determined to get back to helping his team.

José Abreu #79 of the Houston Astros breaks his bat in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park on April 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas.  All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.  (Tim Warner/Getty Images)

"And so he unselfishly was on board with an agreement with going back to West Palm Beach and getting some extra at-bats, getting some detailed instruction on what we could do to get him back," Brown continued.

"He got to the point where he was frustrated," Brown added. "It’s rare to do it. But I think it tells us about his dedication and commitment and I don’t think he sees this as a long-term and I don’t think we see it as a long-term thing. I think it’s more like... let’s go down, let’s make some adjustments. Let’s get the rhythm and timing back. And I think in his eyes, he’s looking at it as, ‘I’ll be back in a couple of weeks or whatever it takes to get better.’"

He has just one extra-base hit and three RBI in the young season.

José Abreu #79 of the Houston Astros bats against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 08, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.  (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

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It's not just Abreu who is struggling in Houston — the Astros entered Tuesday at 9-19.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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