Paredes (hamstring) chooses rehab over surgery, hoping to return this season

MIAMI -- Despite acquiring Carlos Correa in a trade with the Twins last week to be their starting third baseman, there’s a chance the Astros could still get All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes back from the severe right hamstring injury he suffered running the bases July 19 in Seattle.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Paredes -- after seeking a second opinion -- has chosen to rehab the injury instead of undergo surgery, which Brown said could have required a six-month recovery and would have ended his season. With rest and rehab, there’s a chance Paredes could return to the field this season.

“He wants to work hard to try to get back this season,” Brown said. “Of course, he’s going to be dedicating himself to getting back.”

Brown said Paredes has had multiple images on the hamstring, as well as a platelet-rich plasma injection, and is optimistic he can return this year.

“He’s dedicated to coming back from that severe hamstring strain,” Brown said. “That gives me some optimism. He is watching what’s going on here and he wants to be a part of it. I think he’s going to work his tail off to try to get back."

Paredes was having a solid year at the plate before he got injured. He was slashing .259/.359/.470 with a team-high 19 homers and 50 RBIs in 94 games and was among the league leaders in walks. He was added to the American League All-Star team to replace Cleveland’s José Ramírez but skipped the game to deal with “family matters.”

The Astros pulled a stunning trade Thursday with the Twins to reacquire Correa, who was drafted as a shortstop by Houston with the No. 1 pick in 2012. He led the Astros to six trips to the playoffs, including three American League pennants and the 2017 World Series championship. He signed with the Twins after the 2021 season -- a season in which he won a Gold Glove and finished fifth in AL MVP voting.

Correa had a no-trade clause with the Twins, but waived it to return to Houston and play third base. The Astros also added infielder Ramón Urías from the Orioles at the Trade Deadline, giving them more depth. Mauricio Dubón has made 15 starts at third base this year. If Paredes does return, it would create a glut of infielders, which Brown said would be a good problem to have.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Brown said. “We have multiple infielders who can play multiple positions, and that’s very helpful. That would be a good decision to have to make.”

Paredes, one of three players the Astros acquired in December in exchange for Kyle Tucker, is currently away from the team but will join his teammates at this point to continue his rehab.

“He’s doing well and working hard and in good spirits,” manager Joe Espada said. “I know he’d rather be on the field. We hope for the best and he's doing everything in his power and the doctors are doing everything in their power to get him back on the field.”