Carlos Pena is expected to miss the rest of the 2013 season after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Saturday. Pena has been serving as an extra left-handed bat on the bench for the Royals in September, striking out in each of his three at-bats. The 35-year-old slugger will finish the season with a horrific .207/.321/.346 line with eight homers, 25 RBI and 92 strikeouts in 280 at-bats.

Royals purchased the contract of 1B Carlos Pena from Triple-A Omaha. Pena was released by the Astros on July 31 after batting just .209/.324/.350 in 85 games. The 35-year-old slots in well as a bench bat.

Royals signed 1B Carlos Pena to a minor league contract; assigned him to Triple-A Omaha. Pena was released by the Astros on July 31 and took almost a full month to find a new spot. The 35-year-old was batting just .209/.324/.350 in 85 games for Houston.

Astros released 1B Carlos Pena. Pena had been designated for assignment last week after batting just .209/.324/.350 with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 85 games. Despite his struggles this season, someone should give him a shot as a bench bat.

Astros designated 1B Carlos Pena for assignment. Pena batted just .209/.324/.350 with eight home runs and 25 RBI in 85 games with the Astros. He was signed to a one-year, $2.9 million contract this offseason and could pass through waivers unclaimed, but shouldn't struggle to continue his career with another team.

Carlos Pena went 0-for-3 in his return to the Astros' starting lineup Wednesday against the Rays. Pena missed two games following the drowning death of his nephew back in the Dominican Republic. The first baseman is batting .218/.330/.373 so far this season.

Carlos Pena will miss the next two games due to a death in the family. Pena will not be placed on the bereavement list, as that would have required him missing a minimum of three games. Ronny Cedeno is being used in the DH spot Sunday.

Carlos Pena ripped a three-run, walk-off homer in Thursday's extra-innings win over the Brewers. Pena was hitless in four at-bats going into the 10th, but he deposited Mike Gonzalez's hanging slider into the upper deck to complete the Astros' come back victory. The veteran first baseman is predictably hitting a low .223, but he's given the 'Stros some pop with eight homers.

Carlos Pena went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and his first steal of the year against the Angels on Friday. Pena has his average up to .242, which would be his highest mark since 2008. Of course, the old Pena was a fine player while hitting .230-.240, since he mixed in tons of walks and homers. He's still walking now, but he has just four homers and 15 RBI in 178 at-bats for the Astros.

Carlos Pena went 0-for-4 on Thursday, dropping his average to .197. As things look right now, the Astros would have been better off bringing back Carlos Lee than signing Pena. The 34-year-old Pena has just two homers and six RBI to go along with the sub-.200 average in 76 at-bats.