Astros Struggle Without Correa

MINNEAPOLIS — The Houston Astros faced difficulties at Target Field, missing former player Carlos Correa due to his recent ankle surgery. This is Correa’s first absence from the venue since being traded from the Minnesota Twins last season.

Both teams are experiencing hardships, though Minnesota’s is by design while Houston’s has been unexpected and persistent. Following a series loss to the Twins, the injury-riddled Astros now sit 11 games under .500, negating any positive energy they gained from a series win against the Texas Rangers.

“It’s a long season and you know there’s going to be ups and downs,” said designated hitter Yordan Alvarez after the Astros’ 4-1 loss. “Right now, we’re struggling a little bit. It’s a down moment, but we have to remember it’s a long season.”

On Wednesday, Alvarez went hitless. The limited roster has placed an unreasonable burden on him, as he leads the team with a .694 OPS in May, a figure that still falls short of expectations. The Astros have scored three runs or fewer in 15 of their first 19 games this month, struggling with strikeouts and walk rates compared to other lineups.

Manager Joe Espada acknowledged the team’s ongoing struggles: “We need to start controlling more of our at-bats and the outcome of our at-bats.” He emphasized the need for the team to recover its offensive identity through consistent quality at-bats.

Improvement will need to come from existing players, as Houston has exhausted its depth and lacks strong prospects ready for promotion. With injuries to key players like Correa, Jose Altuve, and Yainer Diaz, their lineup has been significantly weakened, making it harder to replace their established hitters effectively.

Alvarez, who has started every game this season with limited time in left field, embodies the team’s current struggles. The Astros are now forced to rotate through several underperforming players in the outfield, resulting in low offensive metrics and ongoing frustration for the coaching staff.