Houston Astros star shortstop Carlos Correa will not return this season as the team pushes for a playoff berth, manager Joe Espada announced Tuesday. The decision ends Correa’s comeback attempt from left ankle surgery performed on May 11, which initially carried a six-to-eight-month recovery timeline.
Recovery Progress Stalls Due to Inflammation
Correa appeared close to a return over the weekend, and Espada indicated Sunday that the veteran infielder would likely begin rehabilitation games with Triple-A Sugar Land this week. However, the organization opted to shut down his 2026 campaign and shift focus toward spring training readiness for 2027.
Espada clarified that Correa did not suffer a setback. Instead, the progressive increase in baseball activity triggered inflammation in the repaired ankle.
“It’s just the buildup and every day we did a little bit more around the bases, the swinging on the field, the just being on the spikes for such a long time, it just kind of flared up on him,” Espada said. “And I think the smart thing to do right now is for Carlos to focus on next season.”
Manager Expresses Disappointment Over Timing
The Astros entered Tuesday night’s matchup against the Kansas City Royals holding a one-game lead over the Texas Rangers atop the American League West. Espada acknowledged the frustration of seeing Correa’s extensive rehabilitation fall short at the final stage.
“Is it disappointing to know how hard he worked and it just came up short,” he said. “For me that’s the most disappointing part, that you know how much work he put into trying to get back and you see the light at the end of the road and the fact that we couldn’t get past the hours of work, the strain that caused to his ankle during his workouts, it’s sad.”
Postseason Return Ruled Out
Even if Houston advances deep into the playoffs, Espada does not envision a scenario where Correa could rejoin the active roster this year. The manager emphasized the need for caution given the physical toll the ramp-up process has taken.
“We’re at a point where we have to be really smart about this,” he said. “It’s gotten to a point where it’s tough for him to get going. Like he wakes up in the morning and just to get him going it’s tough and we have to be cautious with this.”
Correa’s Contract and Season Statistics
Correa rejoined the Astros last summer via a blockbuster trade from the Minnesota Twins. He played third base for Houston in 2025 with Jeremy Peña at shortstop, then returned to his natural shortstop position this season while Peña recovered from a hamstring injury.
The 2012 No. 1 overall draft pick carries salaries of $31.5 million in 2026, $30.5 million in 2027, and $30 million in 2028. As part of the trade agreement, the Twins will send $10 million to the Astros each December 15 from 2026 through 2028.
Before the injury, Correa was batting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBI. He spent his first seven major league seasons with Houston before signing with Minnesota, where he played three-and-a-half years prior to last summer’s trade.
