Castro returns, but backup catching job in flux

BOSTON — Veteran catcher Jason Castro returned to the Astros on Friday after missing three games following the birth of his first child, and that meant Max Stassi was sent back to Triple-A Fresno. Stassi figures to be back in the big leagues at some point soon, but the club wants him to get as many at-bats as possible because he missed considerable time following left hand surgery towards the end of Spring Training.

For now, the Astros are sticking with Erik Kratz — signed at the end of camp when Stassi got hurt — as their backup catcher, while Evan Gattis continues to get reps behind the plate at Double-A Corpus Christi. He could be in the catching mix in Houston as early as next week.

Stassi began Spring Training as the backup to Castro, but the injury has delayed his impact on the big league team beyond the three games he was on the roster when Castro was in Houston with his wife and newborn.

“He hasn’t played a ton in a row in order to get himself up and running,” …

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