Who will be an odd man out for the Houston Astros when Jose Abreu returns?

The Houston Astros have struggled this season, largely due to injuries and underperforming veterans.

That caused a roster issue and then a headache for rookie manager Joe Espada.

But there may be no bigger disappointment than first baseman Jose Abreu, the $58.5 million man who has never lived up to the hype since he dressed in an Astros uniform.

His performance was so poor to start the season that the team allowed Abreu to leave and spend time with his family, then spend time with the Florida Complex League before returning to the Major League level.

This is not a scenario that happens often.

But with his return imminent, it will once again force Espada to make a difficult decision regarding his roster. Jon Singleton seems to be favored by Espada, but his 108 OPS+ doesn’t exactly inspire confidence at an offensive starting position like first base.

Chas McCormick, a playoff hero just two seasons ago, is slashing just .228/.311/.266 with an OPS+ of 70. That’s 30 points worse than the average MLB hitter.

Then there’s Joey Loperfido who has a 136 OPS+ in 39 at-bats in 14 games this season. But as with everything involving the Houston Astros, the answer is never clear.

The right but difficult decision would be to eat Abreu’s salary and cut bait with the 37-year-old clearly in decline and seek a rental replacement no later than the MLB trade deadline.

Instead, Loperfido will likely be the odd man out and once again have to wait his turn to see MLB action.

Meanwhile, the Astros will settle for mediocrity at the first base position while they play the game of “who’s worse?” ” while trying to take down another American League West pennant.

Sometimes the right thing to do isn’t always the easiest thing.