The Astros’ playoff push will be minus shortstop Carlos Correa, who is unavailable to play until at least Friday while suffering from inflammation in his left shoulder.
Hinch hopes to have SS available at some point in home set with Cubs
CLEVELAND — Carlos Correa will be unavailable to play until at least Friday night’s series opener against the Cubs because of what Astros manager A.J. Hinch described as left shoulder inflammation.
The star shortstop was sent back to Houston on Wednesday to be examined by team doctors. Hinch said he is optimistic Correa will be able to play this weekend “at some point.” He will rejoin the team Friday at Minute Maid Park.
“The first game here, he dove after a couple plays and jarred his left shoulder,” Hinch said before Wednesday night’s game against the Indians at Progressive Field. “He was a little uncomfortable (Tuesday). He went through the normal routine pregame and then had a couple things (Tuesday) night happen where the inflammation increased. We sent him for tests and then decided to send him back to Houston to see our doctors and then hope to have him playing this weekend.”
The decision to send Correa for further evaluation was made Wednesday after he felt increased soreness and underwent initial tests in Cleveland, according to Hinch. Before Wednesday, Correa had started every game since June 12, the last of three he missed in Tampa because of an ankle injury.
Alex Bregman shifted from third base to shortstop for Wednesday’s game and could play there again in Thursday afternoon’s series finale against Cleveland. Yulieski Gurriel played third base. Evan Gattis batted cleanup in Correa’s stead.
The injury to Correa is the latest for a team that already this week lost lefthander Dallas Keuchel to left shoulder inflammation. Correa is batting .274 with 19 home runs and an .822 on-base plus slugging percentage. According to baseball-reference.com, the reigning American League Rookie of the Year has been worth 5.1 wins above replacement, which, entering play Wednesday, ranked 17th in the majors and best among AL shortstops.
Bregman spent the early part of batting practice Wednesday afternoon re-acclimating himself to shortstop, his natural position and one he played regularly until just before his late July promotion to the majors. Although he hadn’t started at shortstop for the Astros before Wednesday, he had twice moved to the position as part of in-game substitutions.
“I’m ready to compete, ready to get after it,” Bregman said. “But I just hope Carlos is good and gets back soon and is ready to go.”