CLEVELAND -- The Astros will be without starting shortstop Carlos Correa until at least Friday after he was diagnosed with left shoulder inflammation and flew to Houston on Wednesday to be examined by team doctors, manager A.J. Hinch said.
Hinch said Correa banged up his shoulder making a diving stop Monday and experienced discomfort on Tuesday. Correa, who will rejoin the club Friday when the Astros return home to face the Cubs, is hitting .274 with 19 homers and 90 RBIs in his first full season in the big leagues. Alex Bregman made his first start at shortstop in Correa's absence against the Indians on Wednesday.
"He was a little uncomfortable yesterday and went through the normal routine pregame and then had a couple of things last night happen where the inflammation increased. And [we] sent him for tests and decided to send him back to Houston to see our doctors," Hinch said. "We hope to have him playing this weekend."
Hinch said Correa awoke Wednesday and felt increased soreness, so the team deemed it important enough to send him back to Houston.
"We're optimistic that he's going to be able to play this weekend against the Cubs at some point," Hinch said. "I'm happy to report that, but we're obviously going to lose him for next couple of games."
Correa, who had specially made cleats to celebrate Wednesday's Roberto Clemente Day, is out of the lineup for the first time since June 10-12 in St. Petersburg against the Rays with an ankle sprain. He's hitting .333 during his career-long 12-game hitting streak.
The Astros are already without two of their top starting pitchers with Dallas Keuchel (left shoulder inflammation) and Lance McCullers Jr. (mild right elbow sprain) rehabbing in Houston, and third baseman Luis Valbuena is out for the year after undergoing hamstring surgery.
"We'll make do," Hinch said. "It's obviously tough to lose another player for a couple of games, but we'll be able to handle it and put a good team out there and try to get a couple of wins."
Bregman, who was drafted No. 2 overall out of LSU in 2015 as a shortstop but has made the transition to third base, was back at shortstop for the first time since he was at Triple-A Fresno earlier this year.
"I wish Carlos was playing because he's a good player, but I get to play short again and I'm ready to compete and ready to get after it," Bregman said. "I just hope Carlos is good and gets back soon and is ready to go."