Carlos Correa To the IL

Looks like the Houston Astros will be without their shortstop for a little while.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com is reporting that Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is likely heading to the 10-day injured list after exiting Monday's game with back discomfort. The decision will not be official til later tonight, but manager AJ Hinch and the Astros organization was not optimistic that he would be able to avoid a stint on the IL.

Hinch indicated that Correa's injury is not likely to be a very serious time, but it may take several days to heal fully. This is actually the time that the Astros always want to have a full bench, so missing Correa will be tough.

While the IL stint isn't expected to take long, there are more serious concerns about Correa's health beyond this stint. Last season, he dealt with a back injury that cost him six weeks and bothered him in the postseason. This latest injury is the second time the 24-year-old has had to spend time on the IL this season, after a fractured rib forced him out for two months this summer.

With Correa and shortstop Aledmys Diaz both on the IL, shortstop duties will probably fall on Jack Mayfield or Myles Straw. Straw is currently in the minors but is a candidate to replace the ailing Correa at that position, either temporary or for the future. Nevertheless, any option is a downgrade at that position, since Correa has posted a .914 OPS this season.

Correa, a former first overall selection, has had his availability cut due to injuries and it will now be his third season in which he will not play 110 games, considered important for a shortstop of his caliber.