Pain is Still a Problem for Carlos Correa, and It’s Not Going Away

Carlos Correa was the Minnesota Twins’ best player for most of the 2024 MLB season, but he seems like a distant memory these days. Wednesday’s matchup vs the San Diego Padres will be their 33rd straight game without Correa in the lineup.

His last time on the field was July 12, a 1-for-5 effort vs the San Francisco Giants, coincidentally one of two teams that he failed a physical for two offseasons ago, after he originally signed a deal much bigger than what he later ended up inking with the Twins.

After the All-Star Break Correa hit injured reserve with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Not to be confused with the plantar fasciitis he had in his left foot last season, which caused him significant issues and a big drop in production.

Latest update on Carlos Correa’s foot injury

So, when can we expect Carlos Correa back, and what shape will he be in? That’s the $33 million question. According to an update given by the Twins’ head athletic trainer on Tuesday, the timeline is still murky because the near-30-year-old is still having pain in his foot.

Shortstop Carlos Correa (right plantar fasciitis) is still experiencing some discomfort but reported feeling better after he ran Tuesday. Correa also has been hitting, throwing and taking grounders.

“(Correa) stated that it was good, comparatively speaking to how he felt a couple days ago,” Paparesta said. “We’re just kind of in a little bit of a pain management situation with Carlos…”

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Clearly, Carlos Correa is going to be dealing with this latest bout of plantar fasciitis for the rest of 2024. Now, while this certainly isn’t good news, his season isn’t ending, or anything crazy like that. As Paparesta notes above, this is becoming a pain management issue for Correa.

The pain in his foot is going to be there, so how much can he handle and can the Twins dull it enough to make it tolerable. Once he starts playing on that foot again, Correa’s plantar isn’t going to get better. And that’s a problem, when it’s already painful for him to run in a straight line.

So when might we actually see the Minnesota Twins shortstop back in action? Local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson was very hesitant to put a date on it, but said he’d be surprised if Correa isn’t back in the lineup by September 1.

“Yeah, I think we’ll see him, because he’s going to have to play through pain, it’s not going to be 100%. He wants to be back out there. That’s stating the obvious. I think we see him in a rehab assignment relatively soon. I’d like to think we’ll see him before September 1st.”

Darren Wolfson on Carlos Correa’s return.

Related: Shocker: Latest Update on Byron Buxton’s Injury is Confusing

Minnesota would certainly benefit by seeing their All-Star shortstop return to the lineup sooner rather than later. When both Correa and Buxton can get back, Rocco Baldelli’s group will be better for it.