New treatment has Twins' Carlos Correa inching closer to return

Correa has been sprinting in cleats for several days.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) throws to first base for an out against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on July 12, 2024. / John Hefti-Imagn Images

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa has found a new painful but effective treatment for the plantar fasciitis in his right foot and has been sprinting in cleats for three days, he told reporters ahead of Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Here's how upbeat Carlos Correa is: He approached us to ask if we wanted an update. Best body language he's had in two months. #MNTwins are bringing in four pitchers from Cedar Rapids to throw to Correa, Buxton, Kepler and Margot. https://t.co/vDv9VUR3iX

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) September 9, 2024

Carlos Correa overwhelmingly upbeat about new treatment on his foot. It’s very painful, he says, but it’s working. He expects to be playing baseball soon.

— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) September 9, 2024

Carlos Correa has been sprinting for three days, in cleats. New, “painful” manipulation treatments seem to be working. #MNTwins

— John Shipley: Tier 3 (@ShipleyMN) September 9, 2024

Correa hasn't played since exiting a game on July 12, and he's been on the injured list since July 20. Correa said in late August that he had been sprinting in shoes, that his next step was sprinting in cleats, which would allow him to begin other baseball activities, and that he intends to return this year.

That still appears to be the goal and expectation, with Correa telling reporters, "You might see me playing baseball again pretty soon." A potential return would need to come soon; the Twins have 19 regular-season games remaining, including Monday night's matchup against the Angels.

Carlos Correa said he’s found a new treatment for the foot over the last few days that has him feeling much better in his workouts this week. He spoke with a lot of intensity today, a mark of how good he’s feeling.

“You might see me playing baseball again pretty soon.”

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 9, 2024

It's still unclear when Correa would be able to return, but he's feeling better than he has in some time.

The Twins could certainly use Correa back in the lineup following one of their worst series of the season against the Kansas City Royals, who swept the Twins in the three-game series. The Twins scored just two runs in those three games and are missing Correa's bat in the lineup.

Correa was one of the most productive hitters in the Twins lineup prior to his injury, slashing .308/.520/.896 with 13 homers and 47 RBIs. Correa has played in 75 games this season.