Carlos Correa was back on the field Friday. The Houston Astros shortstop resumed light baseball activities at Daikin Park, including running, catching, and stretching, marking a visible step forward in his recovery from left ankle surgery.
According to a report by Yahoo Sports, Correa has been sidelined since May after injuring the peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle while swinging a bat. He underwent surgery later that month and was placed on the 60-day injured list. When the injury first occurred, the Astros told fans to expect Correa to miss the remainder of the season.
With two months left in the regular season, that prognosis may no longer be certain. Astros manager Joe Espada declined to say whether Correa could return before the season ends, but he did not close the door either.
"Just slow down, I know you gotta ask the question," Espada said. "I'm just happy that he's out here moving around, and he actually looks really good."
Espada said the next step in Correa's recovery will be infield work with assistant coach Tony Perezchica.
"He's gonna start doing some infield work on the side here with Tony," Espada said. "He is getting better, he's improving."
In response to a question asked in Spanish, Espada said Correa's recovery was going well and that the shortstop had progressed more quickly than the team initially expected. Correa himself was not available to comment.
The Astros are managing roster challenges beyond Correa's absence. ESPN reported that starter Tatsuya Imai will move to the bullpen for Houston's upcoming weekend series against the Texas Rangers after a rough outing in his last start. The shift adds another variable to a pitching staff already navigating a season without its starting shortstop.
Correa has been one of the central figures in Houston's lineup for years, and his absence since May has left a significant gap in the middle of the Astros infield. Whether he can return and contribute before the regular season closes in two months remains an open question. Espada's next update on infield work with Perezchica will be the next concrete indicator of how that timeline develops.
