SAN FRANCISCO – This whole All-Star thing isn’t about Carlos Correa anymore. No, the Twins shortstop has a more important agenda at Globe Life Park this week.
“I’m going to let my kids meet their favorite player,” Correa said Sunday.
Wait, 2-year-old Kylo and 1-year-old Kenzo Correa’s favorite player isn’t …?
“It’s Aaron Judge,” Correa said. “Kylo sees Aaron Judge on TV and he goes crazy. He has a whole speech for Aaron Judge. He’s ready.”
Correa will have extra time to stake out the Yankee slugger because, after sitting out two games this weekend, he withdrew from the American League roster, and though he will attend, he won’t play in Tuesday night’s game in Arlington, Texas. Willi Castro will represent the Twins, and the Rangers’ Corey Seager was named to the AL team to replace Correa.
It’s a disappointment for Correa, who played in two other All-Star Games while with the Astros, but it’s necessary because he’s dealing with a dreaded ailment that has already negatively affected one season: plantar fasciitis.
The condition arrived Friday and was confirmed by an MRI exam Saturday, in Correa’s right heel — not his left one, he emphasized, the one he tried to play on last season and suffered his worst offensive season because of it.
“It’s not as bad as it was last year — a great relief. Last year, I played through a lot of pain,” Correa said. “With the [five-day] break almost here, I don’t want to get stupid and push it. We know how bad it can get. These days of rest should have me ready for the second half.”