Hinch: Not realistic for Correa to play in ASG
HOUSTON -- Astros shortstop Carlos Correa wants to play in the All-Star Game, but not so fast, says manager AJ Hinch.
A few minutes after Correa, who’s been out since May 26 with a fractured rib that he suffered while receiving a massage at his home, said on Tuesday that he would play in the All-Star Game if the fans voted him in, Hinch nixed the idea. Correa has yet to resume baseball activities, much less play in a game, and the All-Star Game is two weeks away.
“Unfortunately for him, I don’t think it’s that realistic, given the time he’s had off and he hasn’t played a rehab game yet,” Hinch said. “Maybe by then he’s active, but unfortunately with the timing, I don’t see how that’s a possibility.”
Correa was running on the field prior to Tuesday’s game against the Pirates, and he said that he feels great with his progress. He was scheduled to meet with team doctors later in the day and get the go-ahead to begin baseball activities, such as ground balls, throwing and hitting.
“I’m itching, man,” Correa said. “I love this game too much and I’m itching to get back there on the field. I kind of got motivated by the fans voting me into the top three in the All-Star Game. I really appreciate that. Even though I’ve been hurt, they appreciate the kind of season I was having and the votes have been there. I would love to play for the fans who have supported me.”
Martin suffers injury
Right-handed pitcher Corbin Martin, the Astros’ No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is in Houston this week being examined by team doctors after suffering a potentially serious elbow injury during his start Sunday for Triple-A Round Rock against Iowa. Martin was pulled after giving up three earned runs and six hits, while striking out five in four innings.
“He came out and didn’t feel right with his elbow, so we brought him to Houston and he’s being evaluated,” Astros president of baseball operations and general manager Jeff Luhnow said. “We’re currently waiting for diagnosis and figure out what we’re going to do.”
Martin started five games for the Astros earlier this season, going 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA.
Here are more updates from Luhnow:
• Top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley, who was sent to rehab at the team’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., a month ago after being diagnosed with shoulder fatigue, has a plan that should get him on the mound in the next couple of weeks, Luhnow said.
Whitley could rejoin a Minor League affiliate during the third week of July, and he could pitch in some Gulf Coast League games prior to that. Luhnow didn’t say at which affiliate that the club would sent Whitley, who had a 12.21 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP in his first 24 1/3 innings at Triple-A.
“We’re feeling good about getting him back in action sometime in July,” Luhnow said.
• Right-hander Francis Martes, who received an 80-game suspension without pay in March after testing positive for Clomiphene, a performance-enhancing substance, in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, is in the Dominican Republic throwing. Martes underwent Tommy John surgery on Aug. 15, 2018, and he won’t pitch in a game this season.