The Astros are losing Carlos Correa to an injury that happened before their game against the Dodgers even started Tuesday.
Correa was scratched from the lineup after suffering an ankle injury during batting practice and could be out months, MLB.com reported.
“He was just getting his swings in and suffered (the injury) while he was taking a swing,” manager Joe Espada said.
Espada added that Correa was scheduled to see a foot specialist Wednesday morning and the Astros would know more about his injury after that.
Correa was one of the bright spots as the Astros’ leadoff hitter — slashing .279/.369/.418 with three home runs for a team that is off to a dreadful 15-22 start.
He was not available to reporters after Houston’s 2-1 win, as he had already left the ballpark.
It was the second straight day that Houston scratched a player about an hour before the game. Catcher Yainer Diaz was removed from the lineup Monday after injuring an oblique during batting practice.
Starting outfielders Joey Loperfido and Jake Meyers, along with shortstop Jeremy Peña, are all on the IL and could soon have company.
“Carlos is a cornerstone in this clubhouse,” first baseman Christian Walker told MLB.com. “The guys lean on him. We look to him for leadership. I know that his presence will continue to be felt, but we’re just going to continue to pray for him and stay positive.”
While it is unclear if it is connected, concerns over his ankle are what spoiled Correa’s free agency in 2023 before he signed with the Twins. Mega-deals with first the Giants and then the Mets both fell through over worries that his right ankle presented long-term risk.
On Tuesday, the Astros moved Nick Allen from third base to shortstop to take Correa’s spot on defense and Braden Shewmake was put into the lineup to play third base.
Jose Altuve moved from fifth in the order to the leadoff spot to take Correa’s place and Shewmake batted ninth.
Walker and Shewmake hit the first two home runs of the season off Shohei Ohtani to lead the Astros to the victory.
— With AP
