HOUSTON, Texas — Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa said Wednesday he suffered a torn tendon in his left ankle that will require season-ending surgery after sustaining the injury during batting practice before Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Correa said he felt a pop in his ankle while taking swings in the batting cage and immediately could not put weight on the leg. He appeared at the ballpark Wednesday using crutches and wearing a walking boot after consulting a foot specialist.
The 31-year-old shortstop said doctors diagnosed a complete tendon tear and estimated a recovery period of six to eight months. Correa said he plans to seek additional medical opinions before scheduling surgery.
The injury adds to a series of health setbacks for the Astros this season, including catcher Yainer Diaz landing on the injured list Tuesday with an oblique injury.
Correa recently returned to playing shortstop while Jeremy Peña recovers from a hamstring injury. Astros manager Joe Espada said Peña is nearing a return and could begin a rehabilitation assignment soon.
General manager Dana Brown said the injury is a significant loss but expressed confidence in the team’s roster depth. Espada also acknowledged Correa’s leadership role within the organization.
The Astros started Isaac Paredes at third base and Braden Shewmake at shortstop in Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers.
Correa is batting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs this season. The former first overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft spent his first seven seasons with Houston before joining the Minnesota Twins and returning to the Astros in a trade last summer.