Correa (back) is expected to play in Game 1 of the ALDS on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

A sore back has kept Correa sidelined since Sept. 21. The shortstop himself expressed optimism over the weekend that he wouldn't have to miss any playoff games, and manager AJ Hinch was similarly optimistic Wednesday.

Correa (back) said a doctor in Los Angeles told him he "should be good to go for the playoffs," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Correa exuded optimism Saturday, one day after general manager Jeff Luhnow acknowledged the shortstop will have a lot to do over the next week to be ready for the postseason. Correa said he woke up Saturday feeling like he'd be in the lineup if the playoffs started Sunday. "I feel really good. I woke up feeling great," Correa said. "Today we did more stuff in the gym and, like I said, it's a positive step moving forward and we're going to ramp it up once we get to Houston." The Astros will wrap their regular season against the Angels on Sunday then return to Houston to prepare for the ALDS, which begins Friday.

Correa (back) will participate in workouts over the next week to determine his availability for the American League Division Series, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Correa is still with the team in Los Angeles but was not spotted at Angel Stadium prior to Friday's game. "We're going to have to see him do a lot of stuff between now and next Friday," Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "He's going to have to ramp up his activity each day and give us comfort that he's ready to play. If he's not ready to play, he (could) be on the roster and not play. But, most likely, we'd have to use that roster spot for someone else." That Correa's not performing baseball activities at this time is concerning. The Astros will return to Houston on Monday and will have two scheduled workouts Wednesday and Thursday before the ALDS opens Friday, Oct. 4.

Correa (back) has been shut down for the rest of the regular season but is expected to start Game 1 of the ALDS, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros will keep the 25-year-old out of action until the postseason to ensure he's 100 percent. Aledmys Diaz and Jack Mayfield figure to see time at shortstop in the final four regular-season contests.

Correa (back) isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Correa will take a seat for the third straight day due to back tightness. The Astros are likely exercising caution with their starting shortstop, and he should be able to return to the starting lineup sometime over the weekend before the postseason begins.

Correa (back) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game at Seattle, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Correa missed Tuesday's contest due to back tightness but said after the game he expected to rejoin the lineup Wednesday, though he apparently isn't quite ready to roll. According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, the 25-year-old will sit again Thursday versus the Angels, though he said he would be OK to play were it the playoffs.

Correa (back) said he expects to rejoin the Houston lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Correa was scratched ahead of Tuesday's 3-0 win after experiencing back tightness following the team flight to Seattle. The Astros' decision to hold him out was mostly for precautionary purposes, but Correa looks like he'll still be on track for steady work over the final five regular-season contests while Houston remains locked in a tight battle with the Yankees for home-field advantage in the American League postseason.

Correa was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Mariners with a sore back, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Correa apparently came to manager AJ Hinch and let him know that his back was a little tight, while Hinch said Correa probably could have played (he took normal batting practice) if the Astros needed to win this game. Aledmys Diaz will enter the lineup at third base and Alex Bregman will slide over to shortstop.

Correa is not in the Astros' lineup Sunday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

It's been the team's plan to limit Correa's playing time since his return from a back injury. He was replaced in the sixth inning in Saturday's contest and will now remain out Sunday. Aledmys Diaz will enter the lineup and play third base while batting seventh as a result of Correa's absence.

Correa's exit in the sixth inning on Saturday against the Angels was part of the plan to limit his playing time to close the regular season, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

After the game, manager A.J. Hinch said that the team planned to play Correa only six or seven innings due to his lack of a rehab assignment. Even with a more limited workload, Correa has been productive, collecting three hits and scoring three runs in his three games since being activated from the injured list.