Cesar

Salazar

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.

Salazar offers the Astros a third catcher for the final month. He went 7-for-22 in a brief sample this July.

Salazar didn’t play much while Victor Caratini was out, but he made the most of limited action, going 7-for-22 with eight RBI in seven starts and two appearances off the bench.

With Yordan Alvarez back and Yainer Diaz likely sliding back to catcher from the DH spot he had been filling of late, the Astros will need their backup catcher less over the next few weeks. However, if Caratini does wind up on the IL, it will mean more opportunities for Cesar Salazar when Diaz needs a day off.

Salazar provides Houston with some emergency catching depth with starter Yainer Diaz dealing with a finger injury. The 28-year-old backstop got into 13 games last year as a rookie.

Salazar will come up with Houston optioning Joey Loperfido back to Triple-A, per Alexander. Salazar appeared in 13 games with the Astros last year and will be a bench option who can handle catching duties; something that could be necessary with Yainer Diaz dealing with a finger injury. There’s no reason to consider Salazar for fantasy purposes even if he starts behind the plate.

It’ll be Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini, as expected, handling the catching duties this season for the Astros. Salazar got into 13 contests last year in his rookie campaign and will open the upcoming season back in the minors as emergency catching depth.

The move was made after Wednesday’s game and a corresponding move will be announced on Friday. Salazar, 27, went 2-for-18 (.111) over 13 games after his call-up earlier this month.