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Astros option struggling Jose Abreu as top prospect Joey Loperfido set to debut in outfield

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Astros option struggling Jose Abreu as top prospect Joey Loperfido set to debut in outfield

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Jose Abreu’s underwhelming start to the Astros’ 2024 season has reached a new low as the ballclub announced the 10-year MLB veteran would be optioned to its instructional league team in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said that the former American League MVP and first baseman was not with the team on Tuesday ahead of the start of a six-game homestand.

According to Brown, the demotion was mutual and effective Wednesday.

“We met with Jose on this, and we both agree that this move will be good for him and for the team in the long run,” Brown said. “We are confident that a change of scenery and a new environment will help him get his rhythm and timing back. Jose is a team-first guy, and we applaud him for this. We know what this guy can do, and we’re confident in his determination and work ethic.”

The Astros will make a corresponding move prior to Wednesday’s game.

The Cuba native appeared slow out of the gate, registering just two hits in his first 12 games. But after Houston’s victory on Sunday in game No. 22, Abreu owns just two multi-hit games and one extra-base hit in 71 at-bats.

Entering the start of a three-game series against Cleveland, Houston is 9-19 and last in the AL West but 6.5 games out of first place.

The move came a day after the club officially promoted 24-year-old Triple-A star Joey Loperfido, who field manager Joe Espada said will play in the outfield against the Guardians on Tuesday. Loperfido, who blasted 13 home runs for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in 25 games, can play at first and second bases.

Loperfido is wearing No. 10.

The 37-year-old Abreu is in the second season of a three-year contract, paying him $19.5 million each this year and next.

Jon Singleton, a left-handed batter struggling at the plate, will start at first base against the Guardians.

Loperfido’s debut

Joey Loperfido’s first at-bat in the majors was an anticlimactic first-pitch contact, resulting in a flyout to start the bottom of the third inning.

However, the 24-year-old’s second at-bat kicked off the first of undoubtedly many milestones in his career. With bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, Loperfido cracked a single on the third pitch of his at-bat, driving in two runs in a tied game. In the very next pitch, first baseman Jon Singleton blasted a 431-foot three-run homer.

In that four-pitch sequence, Loperfido earned his first hit, first RBI, and first run scored of his MLB career, contributing to a five-run lead at that point.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Heights-area construction project put on pause, risking $25M in federal funding

ABC13 Houston
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Heights-area construction project put on pause, risking $25M in federal funding

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston city officials have halted multiple city projects, including the construction work on Shepherd and Durham drives in the Heights area.

Community officials said this could put up to $25 million in federal funding at risk.

“The potential exists for the project to be canceled entirely and for its associated federal funding to be reallocated somewhere else in the region,” Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority chairwoman Anne Lents said in a board meeting last week.

Lents said the city staff could not say if or when the pause will be listed and that the project could be paused beyond current deadlines. She said redesign could add significant delays and add cost to the project.

“All projects are on hold that reduce the number of general purpose traffic lanes or lane widths,” Mayor John Whitmire’s transportation advisor, Marlene Gafrick, said in a written statement to ABC13.

Gafrick said they are open to exploring options for building a redesigned project. In response to another question, she noted that “Houston will remain an auto-dependent city for many years to come.”

“This is a transformative project that would make it easier to walk and bike in this corridor and give them better access to business while making it safer for everyone who uses it, including drivers,” BikeHouston Executive Director Joe Cutrufo said.

Advocacy group BikeHouston has been critical of these recent moves to pause projects that could significantly impact and or improve pedestrian safety.

Mayor Whitmire previously asked Public Works to “evaluate the effectiveness, impact, and identify lessons learned on the 11th Street Project” and considered taking out bike lanes former Mayor Sylvester Turner installed that cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Barriers were also removed on Houston Avenue just north of downtown that were placed there to help with pedestrian safety. Whitmire says in part that it was impacting firefighters’ ability to turn, so he had the barriers removed, to the tune of around $730,000 taxpayer dollars.

“We need to move forward with this type of project, not only because it’s transforming a dangerous corridor, but also because there’s federal money involved, and the expectation is we’re going to carry through with this entire project,” Cutrufo said.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Storm chances rise later this week

ABC13 Houston
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Storm chances rise later this week

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A lot of water fell over Southeast Texas since Sunday morning, but thankfully we all catch a break for at least Tuesday.

We started off Tuesday morning with some fog but it has burned off.

During the afternoon we expect the smoky haze from Mexico to return, decreasing air quality and turning the sky more gray than blue. Still, enough sunshine should break through to warm temperatures into the mid 80s.

We cannot rule out an isolated afternoon showers and storms, but most of us should stay dry.

When do rain chances go back up?

Rain chances will creep up to 30% on Wednesday and 40% on Thursday and Friday. The weather pattern this week will feature strong jet stream winds over Texas, which will push disturbances through the state that can morph into thunderstorm complexes. These complexes can be difficult to predict more than 12 hours in advance, so stay informed and nimble with your plans this week. At this time we think Thursday and Friday bring our highest chances of getting storms from one of those complexes.

Could the storms bring heavy rain or severe weather?

Yes, it is possible that any storm complex that blows through could bring heavy rain and severe weather. We’ll keep you posted.

Are there any more cool fronts coming ahead of summer?

It no longer looks like we’ll get a front during the first week of May, but there’s still a chance one more cool front could make it down here before the summer heat settles in for good. In fact, next week we see a heat ridge building in that will push our highs into the low 90s for the first time in 2024…stay cool!

HOUSTON RADAR MAPS:

Southeast Texas

Houston

Harris County

Galveston County

Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties

Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties

Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Suspect shot to death after holding ex-wife and toddler at gunpoint in car, officials say

ABC13 Houston
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Suspect shot to death after holding ex-wife and toddler at gunpoint in car, officials say

HAMBERS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities shot and killed a man armed with an AR-style weapon after he held his ex-wife and their 3-year-old child hostage during a chase, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Tuesday.

Sheriff’s deputies said it began with a phone call from the family member of the ex-wife shortly before 6 a.m.

The relative reported that the suspect kidnapped the 29-year-old woman and the toddler from a home in the 9400 block of Desert Flower near Highway 249 in the Fallbrook area.

According to officials, the 39-year-old suspect is the child’s father and he and the woman were in a common-law relationship.

The man forced his way into the home, then fired shots, before taking off with the pair, officials said.

By 9:15 a.m., the car they were in was spotted in Fort Bend County, and the chase started when the suspect refused to stop. In fact, Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said the Rosenberg Police Department was the agency that ultimately notified them where the suspect was headed with the hostages.

At one point, the driver made it eastbound to Highway 146 at Highway 99.

A Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigator was on the phone with the man, but he continued to refuse to surrender, officials said, adding that he spoke of “suicide by police.”

Authorities ended up barricading the area of Plantation Drive at Highway 565 to block the suspect.

It’s believed he was heading in that direction to take his other children, but they were in school at the time.

Once deputies stopped him, he reached for his gun, and that’s when two snipers with Chambers County’s Special Response Team shot and killed him, Gonzalez said.

The woman and child were unharmed. No members of law enforcement were injured either.

Watch: SkyEye coverage as scene unfolded in Chambers County

According to Gonzalez, there was a history of abuse in the relationship, noting that the suspect had previously threatened to take the woman to Mexico and kill her.

The couple had recently split, and she was staying with relatives to escape him.

It’s believed no shots were fired during the chase.

You can reach the National Domestic Violence hotline 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE. You can also chat with someone live or text “START” to 88788.

The Houston Area Women’s Center also has a 24/7 hotline available by calling 713-528-2121 or chat on their website.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Overnight storms cause partial collapse of industrial facility in Baytown

ABC13 Houston
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Overnight storms cause partial collapse of industrial facility in Baytown

BAYTOWN, Texas (KTRK) — After severe weather overnight, storm damage was also reported in Baytown and Chambers County.

ABC13’s Brandon Hamilton was at the Quantix facility off the Grand Parkway in Baytown, where the cleanup process was underway.

The heavy damage could be seen from the highway, including the facility’s part of the roof that was caved in and HVAC units on their side.

Quantix, a supply chain services company, says it was around 4:30 a.m. when it was informed that the south end of its facility had been damaged.

They believe strong winds from the storm are to blame.

The company says there were employees inside as the storm rolled through, but they were able to shelter in place. No one was reportedly hurt.

Eyewitness News learned a structural engineer is planning to look at the building before anyone is allowed back into this section.

The company says customers who will be impacted have been contacted.

The overnight stoms also led to multiple school closures and delays across the area.

For news updates, follow Brandon Hamilton on Facebook, X and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with ABC13 at the big parade downtown Saturday

ABC13 Houston
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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with ABC13 at the big parade downtown Saturday

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — One of the city’s biggest Hispanic celebrations returns Saturday morning to Downtown Houston.

The LULAC District 8 Cinco de Mayo Parade will bring dozens of colorful vehicles and floats downtown, and a brand-new parade route just blocks from city hall.

ABC13 will be livestreaming all the sights and sounds on Saturday at 10 a.m.

The celebration is important to Mexican Americans, but is not, as it is often misidentified or confused with, Mexico’s Independence Day. (That would be El Grito on Sept. 16.)

Still, it’s pretty pivotal.

Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla, during the Franco-Mexican War.

“For us, Cinco de Mayo is very precious, and it should definitely be appreciated not just by Latinos, but by everyone,” said Mary Ramos, who has been organizing the parade for 28 years. “Everyone in the community is welcome.”

WATCH: 2023 LULAC Dist. 8 Cinco de Mayo Parade

Astros legend Jose Cruz was honored as a co-grand marshal during the return of the LULAC Houston Cinco de Mayo Parade in 2023.

The parade draws thousands to see mariachis, wagons adorned with colorful papel picado, and even dinosaurs, as was the case with Supernova Furniture’s award-winning float during last year’s parade.

ABC13 was there in April when LULAC presented Ana Abrahams, best known for her high-energy furniture store ads, with her trophy. She promised another over-the-top float for this year’s festivities.

Ramos said the parade has grown exponentially over the years, keeping pace with Houston’s growing Latin and Hispanic communities, which make up 45% of the city’s population.

“For a few years, there was just 12 of us that did the entire parade,” Ramos said. “Now we get dozens and dozens of volunteers from all over.”

2024 LULAC Cinco de Mayo Parade Route

  • Starts at Dallas at Bagby
  • Left on Louisiana St. from Dallas
  • Left on Walker St. from Louisiana
  • Left on Smith St. from Walker
  • Right on Lamar St. from Smith

ABC13 is proud to be the official media partner of LULAC District 8’s Cinco de Mayo Parade.

You can watch the parade anywhere you stream Eyewitness News, like Roku and Fire Stick. Just search “ABC13 Houston” in your app store.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Husband set wife on fire, died while locked in burning NW Harris County garage, sheriff says

ABC13 Houston
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Husband set wife on fire, died while locked in burning NW Harris County garage, sheriff says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A couple’s adult sons woke up to their mother’s screams as, according to the Harris County sheriff, she was being burned alive in a fire allegedly set by her husband Monday morning.

According to the sheriff’s office, the sons, 28 and 21 years old, escaped a house fire unharmed in the 6500 block of Desert Rose Lane, but unable to help their mother and father, who locked himself in the burning garage of their northwest Harris County home.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said first responders were dispatched to the residence at about 1:40 a.m., where Tuybach Ho, a 58-year-old nail tech, and her 62-year-old retired husband, Tien Trinh, died. Investigators believed Trinh lit the fire in what they’re treating as a murder-suicide.

Before authorities arrived, the sheriff said one of the sons was studying for an exam. For an unknown reason, deputies were told Trinh became agitated and cut off power to the home.

The sons then went to sleep only to wake to their mother’s screams, according to Gonzalez. He said Trinh had set Ho on fire. The sons tried to put water on her and extinguish the fire but could not.

The sons left the burning home for safety and then heard their father’s screams coming from the garage, where Trinh was locked inside.

Firefighters attempted to enter once they arrived but could not get to him.

“For someone to set someone ablaze like that is a very cruel way to do it,” Gonzalez said. “It is one of the most painful ways to do it. My heart goes out to the sons. Again, trying to study for an exam, trying to do better for themselves. It’s tough enough to lose one parent, but to lose both and then also to witness it, that’s horrific.”

Since October, the sheriff’s office has been called out to the home three times. Two of the calls were about verbal arguments. In December, they responded to a mental health crisis that Trinh was suffering from.

According to the sheriff, there are allegations of drug use by Trinh.

The medical examiner’s office will determine if Ho suffered any injuries before being set on fire.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Joey Loperfido, Astros’ 6th-ranked prospect tearing up Triple-A, called up to MLB

ABC13 Houston
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Joey Loperfido, Astros’ 6th-ranked prospect tearing up Triple-A, called up to MLB

Trey Cabbage, an infielder who was on the active roster during the Mexico City series, was sent back down to Triple-A.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Joey Loperfido tore through Triple-A pitchers to the tune of 13 home runs and 27 runs batted in for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

The highly-ranked prospect is now taking his talents to the majors after the Houston Astros announced on Monday that they’re calling up the 24-year-old for the first time.

News of the club recalling Loperfido trickled after Houston completed its two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City on Sunday.

The Astros (9-19) start a homestand on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians.

Loperfido’s dominance

The Philadelphia native and Duke alumnus played in 25 games for Sugar Land, playing at first base, second, and centerfield.

During that stretch, Loperfido posted an impressive stat line, including 29 hits and 1.106 on-base-percentage-plus-slugging (OPS) average.

Loperfido’s first-base work is likely why Houston called up the former 2021 seventh-round draft pick. In 2024, manager Joe Espada’s options at the position – Jose Abreu and Jon Singleton – combined for 17 hits in 113 at-bats. None of those hits were home runs, and only three were extra-base hits.

Regardless of where Espanda will place him, the Astros hope Loperfido produces.

The Astros have lost 19 of the 26 games they’ve played this season. The ‘Stros have to play better baseball than the team has played in the last three years in order for the team to have a chance at the postseason.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston

Houston mother-son duo accused of conspiring in scheme, stealing more than $1M from seniors

ABC13 Houston
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Houston mother-son duo accused of conspiring in scheme, stealing more than $1M from seniors

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The FBI needs your help in finding a Houston woman who allegedly pretended to be a nurse while bilking seniors out of millions of dollars.

Regina Thomas and her son, Isaiah Thomas, are both facing a mountain of wire fraud charges. The younger Thomas has already appeared in federal court and is out on bond. However, Regina, the mother, is nowhere to be found. The FBI Houston office is now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to her return.

“We need help locating her. That’s why we’re offering this $10,000 reward,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Heath Janke said. “It’s actually the first time in Houston we can remember offering a reward for an elder fraud case.”

On Wednesday, ABC13 called Regina’s son, who picked up the phone, confirming he is facing federal charges.

Federal prosecutors allege that the mother-son duo conspired in a scheme and stole more than $1 million from an older couple in the years following Hurricane Harvey. Prosecutors say Regina Thomas presented herself to an older Houston couple as a nurse around the time Hurricane Harvey hit. She then took care of the couple’s elderly mother for some time as the couple repaired their flooded home.

As a thank-you for her work, the couple allowed Regina Thomas to stay in their west Houston home while they lived out of the country. Prosecutors say Regina Thomas then lied to the couple, telling them that law enforcement came to their house, saying there was a warrant out for their arrest for alleged FEMA fraud. Prosecutors say she then allegedly presented her son, Isaiah, as a lawyer who could help the couple.

“Did you pretend to be a lawyer?” ABC13’s Miya Shay asked Isaiah over the phone.

“No, I did not,” he said.

In court documents, prosecutors say the couple wired the Thomases more than 60 times, totaling more than $1 million, thinking they were paying for legal services.

“She is alleged to have used false names, occupations, and backstories to steal millions from senior citizens,” Janke said.

The feds said Regina’s not a nurse, and Isaiah is not a lawyer. They are investigating several other possible victims for potentially more charges. But their first priority is finding Regina, and her son told ABC13 he can’t help.

“They sent out a press release asking to look for your mother. Do you know where your mother might be?” Shay asked.

“I do not,” he responded.

“When was the last time you talked to her?”

“I don’t know, it’s over a year and a half,” he answered.

If you know where Regina Thomas, also known as Nikki Laday, you’re urged to call the Houston FBI.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston

Texans wideout Tank Dell sustains minor wound from shooting in Sanford, Florida, team says

ABC13 Houston
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Texans wideout Tank Dell sustains minor wound from shooting in Sanford, Florida, team says

Texans wide receiver Tank Dell, a native of Daytona Beach, Florida, was among the 10 victims during a shooting at a private gathering on Sunday just after midnight. The Texans said Dell was “in good spirits” after being released from the hospital.

SANFORD, Florida (KTRK) — Texans star wideout Tank Dell was injured in a shooting in Florida overnight, the Houston Texans announced.

On platform X, formally known as Twitter, the Texans said Dell was “in good spirits” after being released from the hospital.

Dell, a native of Daytona Beach, Florida, was there as a bystander during a shooting at a private gathering on Sunday just after midnight. Following an incident, a teen gunman injured ten individuals.

ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime reported that the 10 victims were treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds and a 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody.

The 24-year-old University of Houston football product is coming off a remarkable rookie season after being sidelined with a season-ending injury on Dec. 3, where he suffered a fractured fibula against the Denver Broncos.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

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