Carlos Correa’s attempt to make a late-season return to the Astros has ended.
Manager Joe Espada announced Tuesday that Correa will not play again this season after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle as he increased his workload at the Astros’ facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. The focus now shifts to getting Correa healthy for 2027.
The news comes just days after a return appeared increasingly possible. Correa had spent about 10 days in Florida ramping up his baseball activities, and the Astros hoped he could begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land later this week.
Comeback Attempt Ends
Correa underwent surgery May 11 to repair the peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle. The original recovery estimate was six to eight months, making the injury initially appear season-ending. But Correa was cleared to swing a bat in August and progressed quickly enough to make a late-season return a possibility.
Earlier this month, Correa said he was running at 95% intensity before heading to West Palm Beach to increase his workload. He progressed to running the bases and other baseball activities as the Astros explored how they might use him if he returned.
Ultimately, the ramp-up proved too much for the ankle. Espada said the increased workload over the past several days created soreness, prompting the Astros to end Correa’s attempt to return this year rather than continue pushing toward a rehab assignment.
Astros Move Forward Without Correa
Correa’s season ends after 32 games in which he batted .279/.369/.418 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.
His potential return had offered the Astros another option for the final weeks of the season, particularly as Houston fights to hold onto the AL West lead. Instead, Correa will continue his rehabilitation with an eye toward returning healthy in 2027.
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