Concern grows for Astros' Carlos Correa as he remains out of lineup

PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game Houston Astros' Carlos Correa reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Browse through the photos to see how the Astros have fared in each game this season. less PHOTOS: Astros game-by-game Houston Astros' Carlos Correa reacts after striking out against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. ... more Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press Image 1 of / 245 Caption Close Concern grows for Astros' Carlos Correa as he remains out of lineup 1 / 245 Back to Gallery

SEATTLE — Carlos Correa remained absent from the Astros lineup on Wednesday and will not play on Thursday against the Angels, either, inviting more worry for Houston's hindered shortstop.

After he was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a lower back pain, Correa said he got tight on the team's four-hour flight to Seattle on Monday afternoon. He said on Tuesday night that he expected to be in the lineup on Wednesday.

"Yesterday, when he told me he couldn't play, he said he thought it would be a one-day thing and he could play today," manager A.J. Hinch said. "Obviously it's concerning and frustrating in the same breath. I'm not sure what to think."

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Correa told Hinch on Wednesday morning his lower back was still tight. The manager removed him from the lineup.

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Correa missed 26 games from Aug. 20-Sept. 17 with lower back pain — a reaggravation of the injury that sidelined him for nearly two months last season.

"It's nothing like last time," Correa said Wednesday. "Last time it was locked up. I could barely move. I'm able to do everything right now. But we don't want it to get to that point, so we're playing it cautious. I'm aiming for the playoffs instead of trying to play a few extra games here and there and risking it."

"If this was the playoffs, I'd be out there for my guys," Correa said.

Correa did not participate in pregame on-field activities Wednesday. The Astros will fly to Los Angeles after the game and are not scheduled to arrive until 3 a.m. PT. Correa, along with a host of other regulars, will not play in the 7 p.m. game that night.

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Assuming Correa plays the last three games in Anaheim, he will enter the postseason with only six games played since Aug. 19. He went 3-for-11 with five strikeouts during the three games in which he appeared prior to this road trip.

"The playoffs is the main focus right now," Correa said. "We don't want to force the issue at all, especially with these last five games. We're playing it smart and shooting for the playoffs. That's when I'll be able to perform for the team."

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