WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- What a luxury it was for Astros manager Joe Espada to be able to write Carlos Correa's name into the lineup at shortstop in Monday’s 10-3 win over the Cardinals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.
With All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña likely to begin the season on the injured list after fracturing the tip of his right ring finger last week in an exhibition game while playing for the Dominican Republic, Correa worked out at shortstop for the last four days on the back field before getting a start at the position he held down in Houston from 2015-21.
“When Carlos was the shortstop, how good were we when he was the shortstop?” Espada said. “We’re still a really good team, and we have a really good shortstop in Jeremy Peña. I want to make that very clear. But just watching [Correa] out there, just brings back memories of how well we played when he was the everyday shortstop.”
Correa, who made the move to third base from shortstop after being traded back to the Astros last July, had one defensive chance in his four innings on defense. He went into the hole to field a José Fermín grounder in the second inning and threw him out at first to end the inning. Correa still looks the part of a Platinum Glove winner at the position.
“For however long they need me, I’ll be there for the team, and wherever they need me,” Correa said. “For me, it’s more about that. I have the plan to be a third baseman, but plans change. So now, I’ve got to play a little bit of shortstop to start the season.”
Peña has been working out at shortstop alongside Correa on the back fields, but he’s only fielding grounders with his glove. The team said Thursday that Peña would be evaluated in two weeks, which means another update would come around March 19. Opening Day is one week later.
After Correa signed with the Twins following the 2021 season, Peña took over as the starter at shortstop for Houston in ‘22 and was named Most Valuable Player of the World Series and the American League Championship Series as a rookie, and he won a Gold Glove as well. He was an All-Star last year, and he'll return to his position when he’s healthy.
Correa is keeping his seat warm for now.
“We do have an everyday shortstop, and it’s not him,” Espada said. “Carlos is there until Jeremy gets back.”