Zack Short, a Kingston High graduate from Hurley, is making an early impact with the Houston Astros following his July 2 call-up from Triple-A Sugar Land. Pressed into action after injuries sidelined key infielders, the 30-year-old infielder delivered standout performances during a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Short got his first start on Saturday, July 5, after appearing in three games as a late-inning substitute. In the 6-4 win, he drove in two runs with a double. The following day, he went 3-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and reached base four times in Houston’s 5-1 victory. His weekend performance raised his batting average to .667 with four hits in five at-bats.
He was called up after infielder Luis Guillorme was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. With All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña also sidelined by a fractured rib, Short has provided depth in the middle infield. Peña was hitting .322 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs before his injury on July 1.
Before his promotion, Short batted .211 with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs over 73 games for Sugar Land. His MLB career includes stints with the Tigers, Mets, Red Sox, and Braves, with a career average of .168 prior to joining the Astros.
The Astros, now 55-35 and leading the AL West by seven games over Seattle, returned home Monday to begin a series against the Cleveland Guardians.