PHILADELPHIA – Houston Astros third baseman Carlos Correa is expected to face live pitching this week in his attempt to return this year from ankle surgery, manager Joe Espada said Wednesday.
Correa, who is ramping up activity at the Astros’ minor-league facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., ran the bases Wednesday in a significant step in his rehab, Espada said. Correa had surgery for a torn peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle in early May, which was initially thought to be season-ending.
In Florida, Correa has taken batting practice and grounders on the field, and the plan is for him to face pitching in live batting practice “pretty soon,” Espada said.
“Carlos is progressing well,” Espada said.
Before reporting to West Palm Beach, Correa said planting on his front foot when facing live pitching is among the hurdles he will have to cross to resume playing in games. Correa injured his ankle hitting in the cage before an Astros game in May.
The Astros entered Wednesday with 17 games left in their regular-season schedule, a shrinking window for Correa to potentially return. Houston could extend his window if it reaches the postseason; it began Wednesday with a two-game lead in the American League West.
• Outfielder Brice Matthews is tentatively scheduled to join Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday to begin a rehab assignment in his return from a left knee sprain. Matthews, who injured his knee in the last game before the All-Star break, has been rehabbing in West Palm Beach.
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This article originally published at Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa ‘progressing well’ and will face live pitching soon in rehab work.
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