Astros manager A.J. Hinch provided optimistic updates today concerning the respective returns of infielders Carlos Correa and Aledmys Diaz. The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan reports that, according to Hinch, Correa has “looked great” in his rehab assignment thus far and is on track to be activated for this coming Friday’s game against the Cardinals (link); meanwhile, MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart relays that Diaz is likely to return from his own rehab stint in the “next couple of days”(link).
Entering Saturday, Correa and Diaz have missed 45 games each since both were sidelined in a May 26th contest against the Red Sox. Correa, who had been enjoying a .295/.360/.547 season when he landed on the shelf, suffered a rib injury serious enough to warrant placement on the 60-day IL; if Correa does indeed make it back for Hinch’s Friday target date, he will have spent the minimum 60 days out of action.
Diaz, acquired in an offseason deal in exchange for starter Trent Thornton, was also off to a fine start to 2019 before tweaking his left hamstring. In reflection of his multi-positional role with the big club, the Swiss army man has been working at first base, left field, and second base with AAA Round Rock and AA Corpus Christi.
Of course, the Astros have managed to maintain an upper hand on the AL West in the absence of these key players, with a 27-18 record since Correa and Diaz went down on May 26th. At 62-37, they hold a 5.5-game lead over the Athletics in this year’s divisional race.
I literally just talked to Diaz five minutes ago, he says he feels great and hopes he is done with rehab.
Very nice, and exciting!!
It will be great to have them back.
On a side note, I don’t see how Astros keep Correa. He’s literally misses a 1/3 of every season. There’s no way the Astros pay full price when there’s no evidence that he can stay healthy.
Completely agree. The Astros have choices to make. They can’t afford to keep them all. I’d much rather see them keep Springer and let Correa walk.
Springer can’t stay healthy either.
Springer has missed some time here and there but not nearly as much as Correa and he’s never broken a rib getting a “massage”:)
Dude, he’s not even a free agent for 3 more years.
Even worse is that they want to trade the guy while he has a fraction of the value that he could have in a year or two. Fans get too excited around the trade deadline every year it’s expected and I love reading all the silly fan proposals that’s what makes the deadline so fun. The Astros have to wait and see if Correa can get on and stay on the field for more than a month or two before they start planning out his future lol.
Who said anything about trading him?
I have no idea why anyone thinks the Astros would trade any of their elite hitters. The question is about extending them.
I think Correa is gone because he’s too fragile.
Springer is in a tough spot because he’s not too far away from aging out of CF. He’s also up and down as a hitter year to year. A streaky corner outfielder isn’t that hard to find, especially with Tucker, Straw, and Alvarez already in house.
I think his injury history will play a role as well as his value to the team. Correa is a great young player but he’s going to be looking to get paid in the bazillions. With Altuve and Bregman already locked up, it’s tough to spend that much on your infield. They still have a couple years. Things could change.
A player who will miss 60 games a year isn’t worth bazillions. It’s a terrible contract in the making, like Tulo.
Correa for DeGrom. Straight up.
I know it’s the Mets but why would they trade one of the best pitchers in baseball for a guy who can’t stay on the field?
Haha not naw, but hell naw
Interesting as AL West race will be tightening up. Diaz and Correa have been out for quite awhile so dont expect things to just be clicking right away. You play Oakkand 11 more times starting with 4 on Monday. Be careful
Lol. The Astros will still win the West by at least 7 games
I’m happy for them to play Oakland. If they can’t beat them, they aren’t Championship material. If the Astros beat them up, then the division is wrapped up.
Well if the first 8 games are any indication…
We’ll take our chances.