Carlos Correa clears next recovery phase to rejoin Houston Astros

Carlos Correa received medical clearance Tuesday to accelerate his baseball rehabilitation following ankle surgery performed in early May. The third baseman will travel to the Houston Astros' minor-league facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, this weekend to begin a more rigorous training program. While Correa is currently hitting and fielding ground balls, he must still successfully demonstrate his ability to run bases, slide, and react to live pitching before returning to the major-league roster. Manager Joe Espada noted that the development is encouraging but emphasized that the team will monitor how Correa’s foot responds to the increased physical intensity. With 24 games remaining in the regular season, the organization continues to evaluate whether he can return to the lineup before the playoffs. If cleared, Correa expects to return to his position at third base rather than serving as a designated hitter.

• 11:50 PMYahoo Sports — Houston Astros' Carlos Correa cleared for important next step in rehab, but hurdles still remain