Houston Astros star third baseman Carlos Correa has officially ended his rehabilitation bid for the 2025 season, manager Joe Espada confirmed Tuesday. The decision comes after Correa experienced renewed soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle during workouts at the team’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Espada Prioritizes Long-Term Health Over Late-Season Return
Correa had been progressing toward a potential minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land later this week. However, the increased workload — particularly running the bases in spikes — triggered discomfort that forced the organization to shut down his comeback attempt.
“We’re at a point where we have to be really smart about this,” Espada said. “It’s getting to a point where he wakes up in the morning and just to get him going, it’s tough. We have to be cautious with this guy.”
The manager emphasized that the decision was driven by a need to protect Correa’s long-term availability, especially with the 31-year-old approaching his 32nd birthday on September 22.
“I give him a ton of credit,” Espada said. “He worked his tail off trying to get back this season, and we all knew that there’s a chance for this to flare up on him again. But respect that he tried and did everything he could. But we’ve got to be smart about this and make sure he’s healthy for next season, and that’s the course we’re going to take.”
From Surgery to Near Return: Correa’s Accelerated Timeline
Correa underwent peroneus brevis tendon repair surgery on his left ankle on May 11, with an initial prognosis that he would miss the remainder of the season. His recovery accelerated unexpectedly, and by early August he had been cleared to swing a bat — fueling optimism about a possible return.
The Astros’ surge to first place in the American League West on July 31 added urgency to his rehab. Correa himself expressed confidence in a potential comeback shortly after being cleared to hit.
“I wouldn’t be doing all this work if I didn’t think there was a chance,” Correa said Aug. 1.
He soon began running and taking ground balls, even practicing at second base — a position he had never played professionally — as the coaching staff explored ways to integrate him into the lineup.
Disappointment Tempered by Commitment
Espada acknowledged the emotional weight of the setback, given the sheer volume of effort Correa invested.
“The most disappointing part is how much work he put in to try to get back,” Espada said. “You see a light at the end of the road, and the fact that we couldn’t get past the hours of work, the strain it caused to his ankle during his workouts, it’s sad. But at the same time, Carlos, just the fact he got this close, tells you how much he cares about this team and the organization.”
Correa’s 2025 Production Before Injury
Before the injury, which occurred while swinging in the batting cages, Correa was slashing .279/.369/.418 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 32 games. Since returning to Houston via a trade deadline deal, he posted a .290/.355/.430 line with six homers and 21 RBIs in 51 games, underscoring his offensive value to a club now destined for the postseason without him.
