Abreu sprints around bases after hitting first home run of 2023

Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Jose Abreu sprints around the bases after finally hitting his first home run of 2023

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 5/29/23

In his 51st game of the season, Houston Astros' prized offseason signing first baseman Jose Abreu finally hit his first home run of 2023.

The former White Sox slugger has had a disastrous start to his Astros tenure, on pace to have his worst season since breaking into the MLB in 2014 showed his excitement as he trotted full speed around the bases and into the dugout to celebrate with teammates.

That was Long gone. pic.twitter.com/JmG9GTuDkL
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 28, 2023

Some Oakland fans were not happy with the celebration but both managers were in agreement that nothing was wrong with how he reacted.

"He wasn't trying to show up anybody, he was just happy for himself and his team was happy for him." said manager Dusty Baker according to MLB.com's Sonja Chen.

"I have the utmost respect for Abreu and his career and what he's accomplished," said Oakland manager Mark Kotsay.

Signed to a three-year, $58.5M contract to bring another source of power to the Astros lineup, Abreu has put up 27 home runs and just over 95 RBI on average over the last nine seasons.

With a slash line of .214/.272/.265 this season, far from his career average of .289/.351/.497, the Astros hope this will be the beginning of better production from Abreu as the season inches closer to the All-Star break.

"I think it's a matter of days or weeks where we're going to see Jose just get hot and carry our ball club."

It's been a slow start to the season for Jose Abreu, but #Astros bench coach Joe Espada remains confident that the former MVP will break out soon.@astros | #Ready2Reign pic.twitter.com/nmDEo0Dmut
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) May 25, 2023

Houston is in the middle of a heated battle with the Texas Rangers for the top of the American League West division, so Abreu getting back to his old self would be a welcome development for the Astros.

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