ST. PETERSBURG -- Astros shortstop Carlos Correa remained out of the lineup for the third consecutive game Sunday after sustaining a sprained left ankle last Thursday. Still, manager A.J. Hinch is optimistic that the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year will be ready when Houston opens a two-game series against St. Louis at Busch Stadium on Tuesday.
"I hope so," Hinch said.
"He's feeling a lot better. … I wanted to keep him off his feet one more day. With the off-day tomorrow, it makes more sense to err on the side of caution. … But we're certainly shooting for Tuesday."
Correa was listed as "available" on Sunday for the series finale between the Rays and Astros. He was seen before the game fielding ground balls at shortstop, running the first-base line before rounding the base and taking batting practice in a cage on the field.
"He's doing fine," Hinch said. "There's a little unknown until he gets going at game speed with spikes on and reactive plays [happening], as opposed to these scripted, easy fungos and batting practice in tennis shoes on the turf. He's moving around fine. He was saying today he felt a lot better. That's all great. This is more strategic on the fact that we have a day off tomorrow, and we can give him a little extra time off."
Correa said he still felt pain. However, he's optimistic his return will happen soon.
"It's sore, obviously," said Correa, who's hitting .256 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs this season. "I hate sitting in the clubhouse doing nothing, so I can't wait to get back out there.
"Hopefully, I'm ready to go on Tuesday."