Cesar

Salazar

The Astros had been rolling with three catchers on their active roster, but they’ll send Salazar out to make room for the promotion of Zach Cole from Triple-A on Friday night. The 29-year-old backstop has hit .231 (3-for-13) with one RBI in his limited action with the Astros this season.

Diaz is still recovering from being hit by a pitch on the left wrist during Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles. It doesn’t sound like a serious concern since he’ll be available off the bench, if needed in an emergency. It’ll be César Salazar taking over behind the plate on Wednesday night since backup catcher Victor Caratini is in concussion protocol.

Salazar gets the call to Houston to handle the catching duties on Wednesday against the Rockies with both Victor Caratini (concussion) and Yainer Diaz (wrist) dealing with injuries. He got into eight contests earlier this season for the Astros, batting .143 (1-for-7) in the process. The 29-year-old is the quintessential third catcher in the modern era in the sense that he’s perfectly capable of filling in as emergency depth without threatening an established starting backstop for playing time.

Salazar received exactly seven plate appearances with the Astros after being called up back on May 5. The 29-year-old backstop returns to the minors to make room for Jon Singleton to join Houston’s bench mix.

Salazar joins Houston’s active roster ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Brewers with primary offensive catalyst Yordan Alvarez hitting the injured list with hand inflammation. The 29-year-old backstop can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats,

No massive surprises here in the latest batch of Astros cuts, but Whitcomb’s inclusion seems to hint at fellow prospect Zach Dezenzo possibly locking up a spot on Houston’s season-opening roster in a versatile utility role.

Salazar is 7-for-19 with two homers and eight RBI this spring. The 28-year-old ought to be some team’s No. 2 catcher, but he’s stuck behind Yainer Díaz and Victor Caratini in Houston, and it’s doubtful the Astros will carry three catchers initially. He’ll probably be stuck in Triple-A again, since the Astros value the depth too much to just give him away.

Salazar is coming up to take Ben Gamel’s spot after the outfielder was placed on the injured list with a fibula fracture. The Astros are opting to carry three catchers now with Gamel out. Salazar is 7-for-23 (.304) with no home runs and eight RBI for Houston this year.

Salazar has had a few chances at the big league level this season, but with Jake Meyers needing to be activated from the Paternity List today, the Astros will no longer carry three catchers on their active roster.

Meyers had to be activated today, but the Astros have already announced that he will not be back with the team until Friday. He could perhaps be back in the starting lineup then. César Salazar was sent back to minors in a corresponding move.