Plan to activate José Abreu on Monday

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Astros plan to recall first baseman José Abreu to the active roster for Monday’s series opener in Seattle, manager Joe Espada said Sunday, ending the hiatus of Abreu to the minor leagues to try to regain his momentum.

Abreu, the 37-year-old former AL MVP, was optioned to the minors on May 1 after going 7-for-71 in his first 22 games this season for Houston. Abreu worked on his swing at the Astros’ spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., for several weeks before participating in minor league games.

In five rookie-level Florida Complex League games, Abreu went 7-for-22 with a home run. He appeared in two games with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday and Saturday and went 0 for 7 with three strikeouts. He was scheduled to fly to Seattle on Sunday and meet the Astros there.

“I talked with (Triple-A manager Mickey Storey), and he said his at-bats were good, even though I know the box score didn’t show it,” Espada said before the Astros’ series finale in Oakland.

“I think the amount of work he’s done is good. So I expect he will be ready to go tomorrow.

Espada declined to say how he plans to return Abreu to the lineup. With Abreu out, Jon Singleton has been Houston’s regular first baseman. Entering Sunday, Singleton had posted a .227/.344/.427 slash line with five homers in 23 games since Abreu’s demotion.

Abreu and Singleton could platoon at first base, but Espada previously indicated Abreu could return to normal playing time as the Astros evaluate the effect of the adjustments he made in the minors. Seattle’s next series could be telling as the Astros are expected to face right-handed starters in all four games.

Singleton did not start Saturday, with Mauricio Dubón starting at first base against a left-handed pitcher in Oakland’s JP Sears, and was back at first base Sunday against right-hander Aaron Brooks. He entered Saturday’s loss as a pinch hitter, reminiscent of his initial role this season as Abreu’s backup and left-handed hitter off the bench.

“I’m just here to help the team win a game, no matter what the situation is,” Singleton said Sunday morning. “No matter what, I’m just here to help the team win a game.”

Abreu, who accepted his minor league assignment, told Sugar Land reporters Saturday that he sometimes felt “lost” early in the season, but was now “in a good place” mentally.

“There was a moment, and I tell you from the bottom of my heart, I didn’t even know how to hit, how to field,” Abreu told reporters Saturday, through an interpreter. “I was a little lost, but I’m humble enough to admit it and I tell you that I’m trying to be the best José Abreu I can be and the one you know.”