Astros Shortstop Carlos Correa Scratched Hours Before Dodgers Game With Left Ankle Injury

Key facts

• Carlos Correa was scratched from Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a left ankle injury.
• The injury occurred while Correa was taking swings in the batting cage before the game.
• Manager Joe Espada stated Correa will see a foot specialist on Wednesday morning.
• This is the second consecutive day the Astros scratched a player about an hour before game time; catcher Yainer Diaz was removed Monday with an oblique injury.
• Nick Allen moved from third base to shortstop, and Braden Shewmake entered at third base.
• Jose Altuve moved from fifth to leadoff, and Shewmake batted ninth.
• Christian Walker and Braden Shewmake hit the first two home runs of the season off Shohei Ohtani, leading the Astros to a 2-1 victory.

Correa Injured During Batting Practice, Scratched From Lineup

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was scratched from Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a left ankle injury sustained while taking swings in the batting cage. Manager Joe Espada confirmed that Correa was injured during a swing, adding that the shortstop is scheduled to see a foot specialist on Wednesday morning. The Astros will have more clarity on the severity of the injury after that examination. Correa had already left the ballpark by the time reporters sought comment after Houston's 2-1 win. The team did not provide further details on his condition Tuesday night.

Second Consecutive Late Scratch for Houston

This marks the second straight day the Astros have scratched a player roughly an hour before first pitch. On Monday, catcher Yainer Diaz was removed from the lineup after injuring an oblique during batting practice. The pattern of late injuries has forced the team to make last-minute adjustments to its defensive alignment and batting order. Espada did not indicate whether the two incidents are related, but the timing has placed additional strain on the roster early in the season.

Defensive and Lineup Shuffles

To fill the void left by Correa, the Astros moved Nick Allen from third base to shortstop. Braden Shewmake was inserted into the lineup to play third base. In the batting order, Jose Altuve was elevated from the fifth spot to the leadoff position, taking Correa's place at the top. Shewmake batted ninth. The adjustments paid off offensively: Christian Walker and Shewmake each hit home runs off Dodgers ace Shohei Ohtani, marking the first two homers allowed by Ohtani this season. Those blasts powered Houston to a 2-1 victory.

Correa's Injury History and Astros' Depth Tested

Carlos Correa has a history of lower-body injuries, including ankle and foot issues that have sidelined him in previous seasons. The shortstop's absence, even if short-term, tests the Astros' infield depth. Nick Allen, primarily a third baseman, and Braden Shewmake, a utility infielder, are now thrust into more prominent roles. The Astros have not announced a corresponding roster move, but the team may need to call up a replacement if Correa's injury proves significant. The upcoming evaluation by a foot specialist will be critical in determining the next steps.

Outlook: Awaiting Specialist's Assessment

The Astros and their fans will wait for the foot specialist's evaluation on Wednesday morning to learn the extent of Correa's left ankle injury. Manager Espada said the team will know more after that appointment. In the meantime, Houston may need to adjust its infield configuration for the remainder of the series against the Dodgers. The Astros' ability to absorb injuries to key players will be tested early in the season, as they already navigated Diaz's oblique issue. The team's depth will be under scrutiny as they aim to maintain momentum following Tuesday's win.

The bottom line

• Carlos Correa was scratched from Tuesday's game due to a left ankle injury suffered during batting practice.
• Manager Joe Espada said Correa will see a foot specialist Wednesday morning for further evaluation.
• This is the second consecutive late scratch for the Astros, following catcher Yainer Diaz's oblique injury Monday.
• Nick Allen moved to shortstop, Braden Shewmake played third base, and Jose Altuve batted leadoff in Correa's absence.
• Christian Walker and Braden Shewmake hit home runs off Shohei Ohtani, leading the Astros to a 2-1 victory.
• The team's infield depth will be tested if Correa's injury sidelines him for an extended period.