ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As Carlos Correa works toward a potential return from ankle tendon surgery, the Houston Astros hope he can play in minor-league rehab games this week, manager Joe Espada said.
The Triple-A regular season ends next Sunday. Prior to Sunday’s series finale at Tampa Bay, Espada said the goal is for Correa to play for Triple-A Sugar Land before that date.
“I think he’s going to need a (rehab) game or two,” Espada said. “So we’re going to try to do that.”
Correa, who is ramping up baseball activity in West Palm Beach, Fla., is scheduled to return to Houston at some point this week to see a doctor. Espada said that will happen “before we send him out to play some games or figure out what’s next for him.”
Correa took live batting practice this weekend at the Astros’ minor-league facility in West Palm Beach and has been doing defensive work and running bases. He has yet to slide, which Espada said is a box he’ll need to check before playing in a game.
“But every day is better and better,” Espada said.
Correa, who tore the peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle in early May, had surgery that was initially believed to be season-ending. He is attempting to return to an Astros team that entered Sunday with a two-game lead in the American League West and 13 regular-season games left to play.
Before his injury, Correa posted a .279/.369/.418 slash line with three home runs in 32 games, for a 123 OPS-plus.