Astros: Carlos Correa on pace for rehab assignment Friday

The Astros regular season is winding down with only 16 games left. Carlos Correa and a few other players are battling to get healthy and rejoin the team.

It’s getting down to the wire, the Astros magic number for a playoff spot is seven and to win the division eight. They still remain tied with the best record in baseball as they strive for that home-field advantage. Carlos Correa and Ryan Pressly are nearing their return to help out down the stretch and Brad Peacock is making a last-minute run with the clock ticking down.

In the last couple of days, Correa has been pretty much doing everything necessary to test and prepare himself to get back into some live action, from fielding, running, and participating in batting practice.

"“I’ve been feeling great like you guys have seen. I’ve been out on the field every day and looking great. I’m staying positive and very happy with how things are going and I’m pretty sure it’s behind me.” Correa said. via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com"

Barring any setbacks, the plan is to get him in a rehab game Friday with the Round Rock Express as they battle it out with Sacramento for the Pacific Coast League Championship. How many games he’ll get in is still up in the air depending on how he feels and the PCL Championship Series schedule.

The Astros are hoping to get Correa back with the club sometime next week during the series with the Texas Rangers. That would allow him to get in around nine or ten games to get ready for postseason play.

With a couple of bullpen sessions under his belt, A.J. Hinch feels Ryan Pressly is ready for some live action against batters. He could possibly be joining Correa in the AAA playoffs if everything goes well. Hinch is thinking he might be able to rejoin the Astros for the last ten games or so.

Brad Peacock will begin throwing bullpen sessions in a day or two to see how his shoulder responds and there is still no schedule for Collin McHugh to do any throwing. With a little less than three weeks left, time is quickly running out for these two relief pitchers. Peacock seems the more likely to return of the two, if either one makes it at all.