Though key reliever Steven Okert became eligible to rejoin the Houston Astros from the injured list this week, a timeline for the left-hander’s return is still unclear.
Okert, who is on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Sept. 1 due to a right hamstring strain, is throwing on flat ground. Manager Joe Espada said a follow-up appointment Thursday showed that Okert’s hamstring is “healing well” but did not have an estimate for when Okert might resume throwing from a mound.
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With 10 regular-season games left entering Thursday, it leaves a potential return for Okert during the regular season uncertain. The Astros entered Thursday tied with the Rangers atop the AL West and a postseason berth would expand the window for Okert to try to come back.
Okert leads the Astros with 68 relief appearances and posted a 2.13 ERA while assuming a set-up role this season. He sustained the hamstring injury doing warmup activity in the bullpen preparing to pitch Aug. 2. As of Thursday, he was still tied for ninth in appearances among AL relievers this season.
Carlos Correa, whose attempt to return from left ankle tendon surgery was shut down this week, had imaging that showed no structural issues but “some inflammation” in the ankle, Espada said.
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Correa was trying to return this year from May surgery for a torn peroneus brevis tendon, but soreness in the ankle during his buildup led the third baseman and the Astros to end his attempt. Espada said on Tuesday that the focus for Correa will be on reporting to spring training fully healthy in 2027.
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This article originally published at A possible return to Houston Astros by injured reliever Steve Okert remains uncertain.
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