Carlos Pena went 3-for-5 with a couple of doubles Wednesday versus the Astros. Pena is 5-for-8 with three doubles the last two days after starting off 2-for-23. It's actually kind of odd to see him with those three doubles and no homers. Counting all 10 seasons in which he's had 100 at-bats, just once in his career has Pena finished with more doubles than homers; he had 21 doubles and 18 homers for the Tigers in 2003.

Carlos Pena hit a two-run homer against the Mets on Saturday. With a .238 average, two homers and three RBI in 21 at-bats, Pena is well ahead of where he was at this time last year. He hit .107 with one homer and two RBI in 56 at-bats with the Rays last spring.

Astros signed 1B Carlos Pena to a one-year, $2.9 million contract. Pena will have a chance to earn $1.4 million more in incentives. The Astros' plan is to have Pena and Brett Wallace share the first base and DH duties, though Pena figures to wind up getting the bulk of the time at first since he's the superior defender. The 34-year-old batted just .197/.330/.354 with 19 homers for the Rays in 2012.

CBS Sports' Danny Knobler reports that the Astros have signed Carlos Pena to a one-year, $2.9 million contract. He could also earn an additional $1.4 million in incentives. Pena is expected to first base and the DH spot with Brett Wallace, but, as the superior defender, it's likely he'll play the field most days. Pena batted just .197/.330/.354 with 19 homers for the Rays in 2012 but is a decent bounce-back candidate on a modest deal.

Carlos Pena went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox. He took Jon Lester deep in the fifth. Pena's 19th home run of the season was his third of the month, but just his sixth in 218 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He's hitting a brutal .202/.336/.363 on the year. Provided Pena doesn't go on an epic home run barrage between now and Wednesday, the sub-.400 slugging percentage will be the first of his career.

Carlos Pena had a strong day at the dish in Sunday's 9-2 victory over the Blue Jays, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run. Pena also walked twice in the game and scored a pair of runs. It was his 17th home run of the season, but just his second since August 1. He's been losing the lion's share of at-bats at first base to Jeff Keppinger in recent weeks, and maintains a .191/.321/.347 line with 51 RBI on the season.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Carlos Pena will see his playing time cut going forward. Pena's .188 batting mark is the lowest in baseball among regulars, and he hasn't provided his usual power with just 16 homers. Jeff Keppinger will play first base regularly against left-handers, while Luke Scott will share time with Pena against right-handers. "I'm just trying to utilize our best guys on a nightly basis based on who we're playing against," Maddon said. "Just trying to get the best matchups working. I'm not saying Carlos is not going to play. . It's just moving forward, some guys have been swinging the bats well."

Carlos Pena is not in Monday's lineup against the Royals. He's taking a seat against the left-hander Will Smith. Jeff Keppinger is starting at first base and batting cleanup.

Pinch-hitter Carlos Pena hit a go-ahead homer off Kevin Jepsen in the eighth inning Saturday as the Rays beat the Angels 10-8. The Angels blew an 8-0 lead in losing to the Rays for the third time in three days. They ended up outhitting the Rays 15-10, but they never scored after the third inning. Pena's two-run shot was his 16th homer of the season. The .191 hitter hadn't driven in a run since Aug. 1.

Carlos Pena is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Blue Jays. Pena is batting just .163 with a .596 OPS against southpaws this season, so Rays manager Joe Maddon is switching things up with J.A. Happ on the hill for Toronto. Jeff Keppinger will make the start at first base while Ryan Roberts plays third.