Carlos Correa's availabilty for the start of the 2019 season is in doubt after the Astros shortsop was a late scratch due to neck stiffness before Tuesday spring training finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park.
Correa hasn't played since being removed from Friday's game against the New York Mets. He was also scratched from Monday's lineup. Astros manager A.J. Hinch sounded hopeful that Correa would be good to go for Thursday's season opener in Tampa, but wouldn't commit to his star shortstop being in the starting lineup.
"He's taking groundballs, and he's done a lot, he's hit a little bit in the cage, but I'm not going to play him until he's ready."
Correa was not made available to reporters Tuesay. In 16 spring games games he batted .333 with one home run and seven RBI following an injury plagued 2018 campaign.
"These things are going to happen throughout the year," Hinch said. "It doesn't surprise me that it can happen at any given time, but we can't dwell on it. We'll see if he can play on Thursday. We don't think it's a long term serious issue, but I don't love the fact we've had to scratch him a couple of days, and he's heading into the season having not played for a few days, but it's the cards we're dealt. If somebody else has to play we'll still be good."
