Plantar fasciitis is bad news for Carlos Correa

Will he be able to play through the pain or does he need to rest, and for how long?

Friday is a big day for the Minnesota Twins because it could be the day when $200 million shortstop Carlos Correa goes on the injured list. 

Correa missed games Tuesday and Wednesday due to what the Twins originally said was a sore heel, but it turns out that he's since been diagnosed with a muscle strain in his left foot arch and plantar fasciitis, according John Shipley of the Pioneer Press. 

“I think we get to Friday and some of our decisions might be made for us,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said

What's concerning is that plantar fasciitis is one of those things that doesn't typically go away very fast. According to the Mayo Clinic, "most people" with plantar fasciitis "recover in several months with conservative treatment, such as icing the painful area, stretching, and modifying or avoiding activities that cause pain."

Plantar fasciitis is what ultimately ended Mark McGwire's career and it's an injury that plagued Albert Pujols a decade ago. 

On MLB.com, there is a page dedicated to plantar fasciitis and it says: 

"Rest is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis. Surgery may be necessary and involves cutting the ligament to release tension and relieve inflammation. Recovery from surgery is 3-4 months, so some players opt to play through the pain instead, taking days off as needed."

Does Correa just play through the pain and take days off when needed or will he need surgery? Correa is batting .213 with six homers and a woeful .699 OPS. Is the plantar fasciitis why he's been subpar at the plate? If so, what's going to change if he tries to play through it?

This is a big deal and a big decision the Twins have to make for their highest-paid player. 

The issue now is in his left foot, whereas concerns over the long-term stability of his right ankle were what blew up his agreed-upon deals with the Giants and Mets before he ultimately returned to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million contract. 

The Giants and Correa agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract before the Giants were scared away by his right ankle. The Mets then swooped in and agreed with Correa on a 12-year, $315 million deal before also backing out. 

If Correa goes on the injured list, the most likely replacement is Royce Lewis, who is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list and make his 2023 debut with the Twins on May 29.