Carlos Correa continues ramp-up at Houston Astros' facility in Florida in bid to return this season

Carlos Correa hit in the cages and took ground balls Saturday in Florida as he begins his next step in trying to return to the Astros this season after undergoing ankle surgery. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle)

Third baseman Carlos Correa reported to the Houston Astros' minor-league facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., to continue his ramp-up from ankle surgery and attempt to return to the majors this year.

Correa hit in the cages and took ground balls at the complex Saturday, said Astros manager Joe Espada, and is scheduled to hit on the field Monday and Tuesday.

Visit biznow.biz for more information.

"Today was kind of a light day, since he traveled yesterday, but all looks good," Espada said.

Correa had surgery in early May for a torn peroneus brevis tendon that was initially expected to end his season. But the third baseman has progressed to the point that he and the Astros are leaving open the possibility of his playing again this year. The Astros entered Saturday with 20 games left in their regular season and a three-game lead in the American League West.

In his buildup, Correa has yet to face live pitching or run bases. He said last week he is sprinting at "95%" but the ankle still faces tests such as changing direction, sliding and planting in the batter's box. Correa said this stretch in Florida will be the "real test for us to see if we can come back and play" this year. He projects to get live at-bats there but said he would likely still need minor-league rehab games.

"We've got to rehearse all those game-like situations for him before we continue to move forward," said Espada. "Everything right now looks good, but we just need to add a little more every day."

• Outfielder Brice Matthews, who is also in West Palm Beach rehabbing from a left knee sprain, is slated to run bases this weekend. Matthews, who has been sidelined since mid-July, could start a minor-league rehab assignment "in the next few days," Espada said.
• Right-hander Mike Burrows, who was pulled off a rehab assignment due to shoulder inflammation Wednesday, is playing light catch, Espada said. Burrows is scheduled to report to West Palm Beach when the Astros leave for their upcoming road trip and continue to rehab there.

Subscribe

There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.

This article originally published at Carlos Correa continues ramp-up at Houston Astros' facility in Florida in bid to return this season.

Read full story at source