Why Houston’s catchers, worst-hitting tandem in MLB, are so valuable
Houston's Martín Maldonado and his backup are the worst-hitting catching tandem in MLB, but it doesn't matter, Jake Mintz writes.JUNE 14, 2022
Gurriel helps Astros beat Guardians 2-1 to win series
Yuli Gurriel and José Siri had two hits each, Cristian Javier tied a career high with nine strikeouts and the Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 to win their seriesMAY 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Verlander shines to lead Astros to 2-1 win over Rangers
Justin Verlander had another splendid start to lead the Houston Astros to a 2-1 win over the Texas RangersMAY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting for resting Maldonado Castro will start at catcher and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Red Sox, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Impact No. 1 backstop Martin Maldonado is getting a well-deserved breather after catching each of the last three days, opening the door for Castro to enter the lineup. Through 39 plate appearances on the season, the 34-year-old is slashing .063/.231/.063 with a career-worst 48.7 percent strikeout rate.
MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Trout homers, Sandoval spins gem as Angels top Guardians 4-1
Mike Trout homered and drove in three runs, and Patrick Sandoval pitched seven innings of two-hit ball as the surging Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-1 for th...APRIL 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chapman double in 9th leads Blue Jays over Astros 4-3
Matt Chapman doubled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two outs in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Houston Astros 4-3 for their third straight winAPRIL 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ohtani overpowers in 2-way performance, Angels blank Astros
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, tied a career-best with 12 strikeouts and also had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Los Angeles Angels over...APRIL 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Returns to bench Castro is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact Castro is back on the bench after he made his third start of the season in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Mariners while going 0-for-3 with a walk. He'll likely pick up starts just once or twice per week while top backstop Martin Maldonado is available.
APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Marte, Beer help D-backs rally past Astros 3-2 in 10 innings
Ketel Marte had the game-ending sacrifice fly in the 10th inning after Seth Beer tied it with a single, and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a 3-2 win over the Houston AstrosAPRIL 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Back in action Saturday Castro (undisclosed) is starting Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact Manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Castro was "ailing," but he'll return to game action a few days later. He'll start behind the dish and bat sixth against St. Louis.
APRIL 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Out with unspecified issue Astros manager Dusty Baker acknowledged Tuesday that Castro is "ailing," though the skipper didn't go into specifics regarding the backstop's recent absence from Grapefruit League...
Impact Castro hasn't caught in a Grapefruit League game since last Thursday and remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Nationals. Assuming whatever is keeping him off the field isn't a major concern, Castro should be ready to go for Opening Day. He's in line to serve as the primary backup to No. 1 catcher Martin Maldonado, a role that will likely afford Castro anywhere from one to three starts per week.
MARCH 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
United during negotiations, MLB players divided on deal
Baseball players maintained unity throughout labor negotiations, yet were divided when it came time to vote on the dealMARCH 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB: Season to be shortened if no deal by end of Monday
Major League Baseball gave locked out players five days to salvage March 31 openers and a full season, telling the union that games would be canceled if a labor contract is not agr...FEBRUARY 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MLB makes slight moves as threat to openers intensifies
Baseball negotiations have resumed with new intensity in an effort to salvage opening dayFEBRUARY 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trickle-down economics at heart of baseball labor dispute
Baseball players have long benefited from trickle-down economics, where stars set a market that leads to bigger paydays for those down belowDECEMBER 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Key people and background in MLB labor negotiations
A five-year contract between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association expires at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Dec. 1NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Boras: MLB cancer of trading veterans helped Braves win
Baseball’s most influential agent said the sport was the victim of a “competitive cancer” caused by teams unloading veterans to accummulate draft picks and said the Atlanta Braves’...NOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Braves look to finish off Astros in Game 6 of World Series
The Braves will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of the WSNOVEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Maldonado gives Astros surprise offensive boost with 3 RBIs
Martín Maldonado is known for his defense but he provided a surprise contribution at the plate to help the Houston Astros stay alive in the World SeriesNOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Braves look to finish off Astros in Game 5 of World Series
The Braves will take a 3-1 series lead into Game 5 of the WSOCTOBER 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Castro dropped from Astros roster due to COVID-19 protocols
Backup catcher Jason Castro was dropped from the Houston Astros’ World Series roster before Game 4 because of Major League Baseball’s COVID-19 protocolsOCTOBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stubbs replaces Castro on Astros' WS roster Major League Baseball announced today that it has approved a roster substitution for the Houston Astros due to MLB’s joint COVID-19 protocol...
OCTOBER 30, 2021 • MLB.COM
Out due to COVID-19 protocols Castro was removed from Houston's World Series roster due to COVID-19 protocols Saturday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.
Impact Castro has tested positive for the virus, per Mark Berman of Fox 26. The move probably won't have a major impact on Houston's plans, as Castro wasn't slated to see much playing time as the team's backup catcher, a role which will now be filled by Garrett Stubbs. Castro was one of the team's better pinch-hitting options, however, so he'll be at least a modest loss during Game 4 and Game 5 in Atlanta.
OCTOBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The Latest: Braves take 3-1 series lead with Game 4 win
Dansby Swanson and pinch-hitter Jorge Soler hit back-to-back homers in the seventh inning, propelling the Atlanta Braves to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros and a three games...OCTOBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
