Twins’ Carlos Correa playing through injury despite flak from home fans - "Nothing more painful than what I've been through this year"

In an interview with The Athletic, Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa said he has been playing through immense pain this season. He also addressed how he has had to battle constant mockery from Minnesota Twins fans due to his current form.

Correa was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his left foot in late May. He has struggled this year with a .225 batting average, registering 16 homers and 57 RBIs. He holds a .308 on-base percentage and .882 OPS through his last 18 games.

Correa, however, insisted that despite his foot's condition, he felt it was his duty to keep playing and help the Twins land a playoff spot.

“Every step is a struggle. It’s not easy to deal with,” Correa said. “Out of all the things I’ve played with in my career, there’s nothing more painful than what I’ve been through this year. But I’m pushing through it. If it had been a free-agent year, I probably would have sat out more time to let it heal. But I’m here to help the team win games. Just my presence, I feel I need to be out there.”

The Twins hold a record of 68-63 and lead the AL Central by six games over the Cleveland Guardians.

Carlos Correa’s MLB journey

Correa joined the Minnesota Twins after seven seasons with the Houston Astros.

The Astros selected him as the first overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and won the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2017, he won the World Series with the Astros, and in 2021, secured the Gold Glove and Platinum Glove Awards.

Following his stint with the Astros, Carlos Correa entered free agency and signed a three-year deal with the Twins but opted out after the first season. After failed physicals with the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets, Correa re-signed with the Twins before the start of the 2023 season.