Carlos

Correa

Correa tagged Jake Irvin for a solo shot in the third inning, ambushing a first-pitch slider for a 392-foot (105.3 mph EV) solo shot that increased the Astros’ advantage to 2-0. Correa started at shortstop once again in this one and that’s where he’ll play primarily to start the season while Jeremy Peña (finger) is sidelined.

With Peña sidelined for at least a couple weeks while recovering from a fractured right ring finger, Correa is the logical choice to move back to his long-time defensive home with Isaac Paredes taking over at the hit corner on a temporary basis. Peña is hoping to be ready for Opening Day on March 26 against the Angels. However, his availability for Houston’s season-opener won’t become clearer until he’s re-evaluated in late March. The biggest takeaway for fantasy managers here is that Paredes appears unlikely to be on the move before Opening Day after it seemed like the odds of his finding a new home were increasing.

Astros manager Joe Espada said the team will “see how he feels tomorrow,” so this could be a multi-day absense but it doesn’t seem like a major concern. The Astros need to be super cautious with Correa now that Jeremy Pena has been sidelined with a fractured finger.

Rome added that the Red Sox and Pirates are among five legitimate suitors in the Paredes sweepstakes. With spring training kicking off next week it makes sense that Houston would attempt to resolve their existing corner infield logjam before the situation gets uncomfortable. With Carlos Correa taking over at the hot corner and Christian Walker’s albatross contract seemingly unmovable, Paredes lacks a clear role with the Astros heading into next season. His pull-centered approach would be an excellent fit in Fenway Park’s hitter-favorable dimensions although his lackluster defense at third base would adversely impact Boston’s pitching staff. Meanwhile, PNC Park is among the worst in the league for right-handed pull power, which would certainly diminish his fantasy appeal. There should be a resolution on the Paredes sweepstakes at some point in the coming days.

It remains unclear how Houston plans to incorporate Paredes into their infield mix with Christian Walker occupying first base and Carlos Correa stationed at third base. The 26-year-old slugging infielder’s pull-heavy approach seems like a perfect fit for Daikin Park’s favorable left-field dimensions and he projects as a 20-homer lock with everyday at-bats. The possibility of adding second base-eligibility is an interesting wrinkle for fantasy purposes but the Astros are committed to playing franchise cornerstone Jose Altuve at the keystone next season.

With Francisco Lindor at short, Correa was going to give third base a try in the 2023 WBC, only to drop out due to the upcoming birth of his child. Now that Correa is, in fact, a third baseman, it’s an easier fit. Beltrán also confirmed that Riley Greene, Nolan Arenado and George Springer have been invited to play for Team Puerto Rico. Arenado played for Team USA in 2017 and ’23, but he’s expected to switch it up this time.

Peña remains without a clear return timetable as he battles a lingering left oblique issue. The 28-year-old top-of-the-order table-setter’s absence has some serious ramifications for the Astros who sit one game behind the Mariners in the AL West and also trail the Tigers and Guardians by a game for the final AL Wild Card playoff spot. It’ll be Carlos Correa taking over at shortstop in his ongoing absence with Ramón Urías at the hot corner in this one.

Correa’s home run was his 11th of the year. He hit a two-run shot that tied the game in the eighth inning. Correa’s home run was his fourth in 32 games since the start of August. He’s hitting .277 with a .730 OPS and 47 RBI this year.

Correa wasted no time putting the Astros on the board, taking Dean Kremer deep for a two-run shot in the first inning. He added a single in the fifth. The 30-year-old infielder is up to ten home runs, three with the Astros. He’s slashing .281/.333/.405 with 51 runs and 43 RBI across 451 plate appearances.

Correa’s home run was his ninth of the season. The 30-year-old third baseman hit a solo shot off Tim Hill in the ninth inning. Correa had an excellent series against the Yankees with two hits and an RBI in all three games. He’s hitting .281 with a .744 OPS and 37 RBI this year.