HOUSTON -- Astros shortstop Carlos Correa has suffered a significant injury to his left ankle and could be out of action for weeks -- or maybe even months -- while he recovers, a source told MLB.com Tuesday night, dealing the club yet another massive injury blow.
Correa injured his ankle while taking swings in the batting cage prior to Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the Dodgers at Daikin Park. He’s scheduled to meet with a foot specialist Wednesday morning, but the expectation is he will be sidelined indefinitely. Correa, who went 0-for-4 in Monday’s game against the Dodgers, is slashing .279/.369/.418 with three homers and 16 RBIs.
But Correa’s presence on the club goes well beyond the boxscore. One of the reasons the Astros traded for him last July, reacquiring him from the Twins, was they needed his leadership in the clubhouse. He’s provided just that and more, and now the 15-22 Astros will have to try to climb back into the race in the American League West without their de facto captain.
“Carlos is a cornerstone in this clubhouse,” Astros first baseman Christian Walker said. “The guys lean on him. We look to him for leadership. I know that his presence will continue to be felt, but we’re just going to continue to pray for him and stay positive.”
Correa will be the fourth member of the Astros’ Opening Day lineup to land on the IL, joining catcher Yainer Diaz (left oblique strain), left fielder Joey Loperfido (right quad strain) and center fielder Jake Meyers (right oblique strain). And that doesn’t include starting shortstop Jeremy Peña (right hamstring strain), who didn’t start Opening Day while recovering from a fractured finger suffered in the spring. Peña is getting close to game action and could be sent out on Minor League rehab this weekend.
The Astros tried to deal third baseman Isaac Paredes all winter to clear up their infield surplus, but injuries to Peña -- and now Correa -- have the club happy to have kept Paredes. He’ll be the starter at third base going forward, with Peña back at shortstop when he’s activated.
Correa helped Peña prepare for the starting shortstop role while he was in the Minor Leagues and was thrilled when his understudy was named MVP of the ALCS and World Series as a rookie in ‘22. With Peña entrenched at shortstop, Correa unselfishly made the move to third following the trade from Minnesota last year.
Correa has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, but Tuesday’s injury could be the most devastating yet for him.