Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa cleared a vital recovery benchmark on September 6, 2017, taking live batting practice at Minute Maid Park as he works to return from a significant ankle injury, according to reports from MLB.com and the Houston Chronicle. Correa has been sidelined since July 18, when he tore a ligament in his left thumb during a game against the Seattle Mariners.
The Road to Recovery for Carlos Correa
Correa underwent surgery on July 21, 2017, to repair the torn thumb ligament, an injury that initially sidelined the star infielder for an estimated six to eight weeks. According to MLB.com, Correa faced live pitching during an afternoon workout in Houston, testing his grip strength and hand stability before the Astros opened a series against the Seattle Mariners. Astros manager A.H. “A.J.” Hinch told the Houston Chronicle that the infielder felt good following the session and continues to make steady progress toward a major league rehab assignment.
“He’s getting closer,” Hinch said, as reported by the Houston Chronicle, noting that the team is monitoring Correa’s physical responses on a daily basis. The 2015 American League Rookie of the Year was in the midst of an All-Star campaign prior to the injury, batting .320 with 20 home runs and 67 RBIs across 84 games.
Impact on the Astros Lineup and Postseason Push
The Astros offense missed Correa’s middle-of-the-order production during the peak of the summer schedule, though the team maintained a commanding lead in the American League West standings. According to Major League Baseball official statistics, Marwin Gonzalez, Yuli Gurriel, and utility infielder Alex Bregman shared defensive duties at shortstop and third base during Correa’s absence. The return of Correa provides a major boost to an Astros club aiming to secure the top seed in the American League playoffs ahead of the October postseason run.
Next Steps for the Infield Star
Following the successful live batting practice session, team medical staff will evaluate Correa’s recovery metrics to determine when he can begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment. According to the Associated Press, a brief rehab stint with Triple-A Fresno is expected before the Astros activate him for Major League Baseball action. Hinch emphasized to reporters that the organization will not rush the recovery timeline, ensuring Correa regains full functional strength in his left hand before rejoining the active roster.
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