Key keywords: Carlos Correa, ankle surgery, Minnesota Twins, 2024 MLB season, rest of season absence, MLB playoff race, shortstop injury, sports injury rehabilitation According to anonymous league sources familiar with the situation confirmed on Wednesday, Minnesota Twins star shortstop Carlos Correa has been diagnosed with a complete tear of the lateral ankle ligament in his right foot, requiring immediate arthroscopic surgery that will force him to miss the entire rest of the 2024 MLB regular season and any potential postseason games the Twins qualify for this year. The injury occurred during the sixth inning of the Twins’ road game against the Chicago White Sox last Saturday, when Correa slid awkwardly into second base while attempting a stolen base. He was immediately helped off the field by team training staff, and initial on-site evaluations diagnosed a high ankle sprain, with the team initially listing him as week-to-week as they pursued conservative treatment options. Follow-up MRI scans conducted earlier this week revealed the full extent of the ligament damage that was not visible on initial X-rays, leading medical teams to determine that surgery was the only viable path to avoid long-term mobility issues for the 29-year-old two-time All-Star. The official rehabilitation timeline for the procedure is estimated to be between 12 and 16 weeks, putting a return at any point in 2024 completely out of the question. Prior to the injury, Correa was putting together one of the strongest campaigns of his career, posting a .276 batting average, 23 home runs, 82 runs batted in, and a 3.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) through 112 games played this season, serving as the undisputed anchor of the Twins’ lineup and a core leader in the clubhouse. The Twins currently hold a 3.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings, and were widely considered a legitimate contender to advance to the American League Championship Series this year before Correa’s injury announcement. The team has already recalled top infield prospect Brooks Lee from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the starting shortstop role temporarily, and team leadership has hinted they may pursue a last-minute trade for a veteran infielder before the upcoming trade deadline to shore up their roster depth. Correa released a personal statement on his social media channels Wednesday afternoon, saying "I’m absolutely devastated that I won’t be able to suit up and fight alongside my teammates for the rest of this season, but I’m fully committed to putting in the work to get back healthier than ever for 2025. I’ll be right there cheering the guys on every step of the way through the playoffs, and I know we’ve got what it takes to bring a championship to Minnesota this year even without me on the field." Team medical staff noted that the surgery has a 96% success rate for professional position players, with no expected long-term impact on Correa’s defensive range or offensive production once he completes his full rehabilitation program.