Houston’s Carlos Correa to Miss Remainder of 2026 Season After Left-Ankle Tendon Tear

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa needs surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 regular season after suffering the injury during pregame batting practice Tuesday.

Correa was taking swings in the batting cage before Houston’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 5 at Daikin Park when he was hurt and later scratched from the lineup. Initial imaging Tuesday night showed a significant injury, and the tendon tear was confirmed after Correa met with a foot specialist Wednesday morning. Correa described the moment, according to MLB.com: “felt a pop … it just completely snapped on me and I fell to the ground and couldn't put weight on it.”

As of Wednesday, Correa had not scheduled surgery and planned to seek additional medical opinions before choosing a date. He said the expected recovery timeline is about six to eight months, a timetable that would likely put him on track for the start of the 2027 season. Correa called the diagnosis “Pretty tough. Not what I was expecting, but now it’s time to deal with this, face it head on and focus on the rehab,” according to MLB.com.

The loss lands hard for an Astros team already dealing with multiple injuries and a poor start. Through May 6, Houston was 15-22 and in fourth place in the AL West. MLB.com reported the club’s immediate infield plan is for Isaac Paredes to play third base regularly, with Jeremy Peña expected to handle shortstop once he returns from his own injury rehab. Correa’s absence removes a key bat and a steady veteran from a lineup that has struggled to gain traction.

Correa, 31, is one of the most recognizable players in franchise history and a central clubhouse presence. The five-time All-Star and 2015 American League Rookie of the Year returned to Houston in a trade from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 deadline, making this a significant loss both on the field and in the room.

Astros manager Joe Espada underscored that emotional toll Wednesday. “Talking to Carlos this morning was really, really hard -- what he means to this team and this organization and personally to me as his manager and his friend. I’ve known him for a very long time. It sucks, but we have to move on,” Espada said, according to MLB.com.

Astros general manager Dana Brown also emphasized the leadership void created by the injury. “It's a gut punch, but it's not the end of the world. We still have a very competitive team. ... You're losing your captain on the field, and you're losing the production that he was bringing, but he'll still be around. We'll still have his support,” Brown said, according to MLB.com.