BALTIMORE — Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña cleared concussion protocol immediately after he hit his head on a slide into home plate during Saturday’s win over the Orioles, but was held out of Sunday’s series finale as a cautionary measure. 

Peña departed in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game with what the Astros described as a “facial abrasion.” The rookie got on base via a bases-loaded double and later scored on a sacrifice fly, but as he dove to touch home plate the right side of his face collided with the ground. 

After the game, Peña had a deep red mark above his right eyebrow. 

The Astros, citing medical staff advice, declined to make Peña available to reporters either after Saturday’s game or before Sunday’s game. Manager Dusty Baker said on Sunday that Peña is still day-to-day. 

“Just taking every precaution, because he looks worse than it is,” Baker said. “He had a collision with the ground and usually the ground wins.” 

The Astros have Monday off before a two-game home series against the Diamondbacks. 

Danielle Lerner covers the Rockets, Astros and a variety of sports for the Houston Chronicle. She previously covered college basketball for The Daily Memphian, The Athletic and the Louisville Courier Journal. A true utility player, she has also written about professional soccer, horse racing, college football and college baseball. Her work has been honored by APSE and SPJ. A native Californian, Lerner spends her free time being active outdoors and exploring Houston's taco scene.