Carlos Correa injury update: Astros SS to have season-ending ankle surgery

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season after injuring his ankle taking swings in the batting cage.

Correa told reporters Wednesday, May 6, that he "felt a pop" before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and went down in pain. He'll need season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle. Recovery time is expected to be between six and eight months, he said.

Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Astros, returned to the club last season in a trade with the Minnesota Twins after spending the first seven seasons of his MLB career in Houston.

A three-time All-Star, Correa, 31, was hitting .279/.369/.418 with three home runs and 16 RBI for the Astros this season.

Correa becomes the fourth member of the Astros' opening day lineup to hit the injured list − joining catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique strain) and outfielders Joey Loperfido (quad strain) and Jake Meyers (oblique). In addition, starting shortstop Jeremy Peña hasn't played all season due to a hamstring injury he suffered in spring training.

Correa had moved back to shortstop from third base earlier this season to cover for Peña's absence. The Astros will likely turn to light-hitting Nick Allen to take over the everyday job at short until Peña is healthy enough to return.

Houston is also without ace starting pitcher Hunter Brown and All-Star closer Josh Hader, who are among 15 players on the team's injured list.

Despite a powerful offense that ranks eighth in the majors at 4.95 runs per game through May 5, the Astros have a 15-22 record and are four games behind the first-place Athletics in the American League West division.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros lose SS Carlos Correa for rest of season with torn ankle tendon