Houston Astros first baseman José Abreu will be optioned Wednesday to West Palm Beach, The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said the move was "to get some at-bats and his timing back right," per Rome.

Abreu consented to the option, which he could have blocked as a veteran player, Astros reported Michael Schwab noted.

In his 11th MLB season and second with the Astros, Abreu is off to one of the worst starts of his career with a .099 batting average. He has one extra-base hit, three RBI and no home runs through 22 games.

The Astros are similarly looking to break out of a slump after a 9-19 season start that has left them in the basement of the AL West.

Brown complimented the veteran first baseman for agreeing to the option, adding that Abreu sees the move as a short-term change.

"It's definitely a rare thing, but it tells you that much more about the human being," Brown said. "It tells us about his dedication and commitment.

"I don't think he sees this as a long term, and I don't think we see it as a long-term thing. I think it's more like, 'You know what. Let's go down, let's make some adjustments, let's get the rhythm and timing back.' And I think, in his eyes, he's klooking at it as, I'll be back in a couple weeks, or whatever it takes to get better."

In 71 at-bats prior to his option, Abreu struck out 18 times, walked three times and recorded seven hits. Scouts have criticized him as being "late on almost every fastball," per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

The slow start is especially concerning in light of Abreu's 2023 season, during which he recorded a career-worst slash line of .237/.296/.383.

In his absence, Jon Singleton will start at first base against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, Rome reported.

The Astros will not make any corresponding roster moves until Wednesday, per Rome.

Singleton, who also worked in a platoon with Abreu during his late-season slump in 2023, is currently batting .238 through 16 games.

"We need to get some production out of first base, and so we'll do whatever we have to do," Brown said Tuesday. "We have guys on the roster that have played first base before."

One of those options could include first base prospect Joey Loperfido, who is set to make his Astros debut at left field Tuesday evening. Loperfido earned a call-up after leading the minor leagues with 13 home runs in 25 games for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Even while searching for another infield option, the Astros will hope to find a solution for Abreu. The former AL MVP's current contract has him signed with Houston on a $19.5 million annual salary through 2025.