Houston manager AJ Hinch expects Carlos Correa to play Friday in the team's playoff opener against Tampa Bay. Correa missed the final week of the regular season because of a sore back, but Hinch said Wednesday the star shortstop has been working out all week and feels great.
The 25-year-old Correa played just 75 games this season after sitting out from May 26 to July 26 with a broken rib. He missed a month with the back problem, which also caused him to sit out last week. He batted .279 with 21 homers and 59 RBIs.
Hinch said Justin Verlander will start Game 1 against the Rays, followed by Gerrit Cole on Saturday in Game 2 and Zack Greinke in the third game. Hinch wouldn't commit to a potential Game 4 starter.
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