Astros’ Carlos Correa cleared to resume full activities in ‘real test’ for potential return
HOUSTON — In the clearest sign yet that Carlos Correa could return this month, the Houston Astros’ third baseman has been cleared for full baseball activities and will head to the team’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., later this week to continue his remarkable recovery from ankle surgery.
Correa underwent what he described as season-ending surgery to repair his peroneus brevis tendon on May 11. He saw doctors Tuesday for a scheduled four-month checkup, at which Correa said he was told, “Everything is progressing the way it should.”
“From the moment I had the surgery, my plan has always been to try and get back and play this year,” Correa said on Tuesday. “Now that we’re going to ramp up for real and see how the foot is going to respond, this will be the real test for us to see if we can come back and play.”
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Both Correa and manager Joe Espada spoke on Tuesday with guarded optimism about Correa’s potential return, though the manager said last week he expected Correa “to be ready to go at some point in September.”
Since Correa resumed baseball activities last month, he has progressed to fielding ground balls, hitting off of a pitching machine and, according to Correa, sprinting at 95 percent effort level. All of Correa’s defensive work has come at third base, he said.
In Florida, Correa is expected to face live pitching and begin a baserunning progression — two of the final hurdles he must clear before any return. Correa said he will play in some bridge games at the Astros’ complex, but added he will also need a minor-league rehab assignment at a full-season affiliate.
Triple-A Sugar Land’s regular season concludes on Sept. 20 — seven days before the major-league season ends. The Astros finish their season with a six-game road trip to Seattle and Sacramento that begins on Sept. 22.
Correa said he and the club are “weighing all options,” one of which includes Correa returning only for a potential playoff series. Houston entered Tuesday with a two-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the American League West.
“This week is going to tell us a lot. I’m going to be (in West Palm Beach) probably a week and a half or a week, and depending how it goes, we can move forward,” Correa said.
“Everything is progressing the way it should. (The doctor) is happy with the way I’ve been looking and the way that I’ve been doing things. He’s giving me the go to go out there and test it a little bit more.”
Other than to confirm Correa will play third base if he returns, Espada again declined Tuesday to indulge in any speculation on how he may construct the rest of his infield. Starting third baseman Isaac Paredes has the third-highest OPS on the team, but could shift to second base upon Correa’s return.
Doing so would force either second baseman Jose Altuve or designated hitter and AL MVP front-runner Yordan Alvarez to play left field on an everyday basis. On Tuesday, Correa said he does not want to return as a designated hitter.
“I don’t think I’m a better DH than Yordan,” Correa quipped.