The Houston Astros have suffered a significant blow to their infield as star shortstop Carlos Correa underwent season-ending surgery Monday to repair a torn tendon in his left ankle. The injury occurred last Tuesday while Correa was taking swings in the batting cage before a game, and he confirmed the following day that surgery would be necessary.

Manager Joe Espada shared a heartwarming moment, revealing that Correa FaceTimed him during the team's advance meeting before Monday's series opener against Seattle. "He said hello to everyone," Espada said. "And hopefully we get to see him here in the next day or two because… he's doing well. Surgery went very well."

The recovery timeline is expected to be six to eight months, meaning Correa will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Despite the setback, Espada is already looking to keep the veteran involved, hoping Correa will mentor the team's younger players while sidelined. "He's knowledgeable, he helps these young players stay calm and (with) how to play their position, how to go about at-bats," Espada added. "There's so many things that you could learn from Carlos."

Ankle issues are nothing new for Correa. In 2023, blockbuster free agent deals with both the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets fell through due to concerns over his right ankle, which required surgery back in 2014. He ultimately remained with the Minnesota Twins before being traded back to the Astros last summer.

This season, Correa had been splitting time between shortstop and third base, filling in at short while Jeremy Peña recovers from a hamstring injury. Through 44 games, he was batting .279 with three home runs and 16 RBIs. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 amateur draft, Correa spent his first seven seasons in Houston before a 3½-year stint with the Twins.

Correa carries salaries of $31.5 million this season, $30.5 million in 2027, and $30 million in 2028. As part of last July's trade, the Twins will pay the Astros $10 million each December from 2026 through 2028.

For Astros fans and fantasy baseball owners alike, Correa's absence leaves a massive hole in the lineup. But with his leadership and experience, expect him to remain a key presence in the clubhouse as Houston pushes toward October.