Jason Castro & Dexter Fowler Not 100%

Jason Castro (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

So far this season, Jason Castro is not doing a good job of proving that he can withstand a full season while staying healthy. However, his issues this season, have not entirely been his fault.

In the first week of the season, Castro had to leave a game after being hit twice during the same game. The catcher was hit by a pitch again on Saturday, this time in his foot, and after two full days off, he wasn’t deemed healthy enough to get behind the plate on Tuesday.

The one good thing about the Astros being the in the American League, is that they do have the opportunity to use Castro as the designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup while also prioritizing his health. The fact that Carlos Corporan is more than a serviceable replacement, he homered Tuesday night, also helps.

"“It’s feeling better, but it’s not 100 percent,” said Castro, who, in his first at-bat Tuesday, shot a single to right field. “I think it’s good enough to at least hit. Squatting, I think, would be a little much. Hopefully I’ll kind of ease into some stuff today and then possibly by [Wednesday] I should be back there. We’ll see how it responds. If everything goes well today, hopefully I can get back there [Wednesday].”"

Dexter Fowler is another key Astro who is not 100%, but was also in the lineup Tuesday night. However as he told Brian McTaggart, he is improving and heading in the right direction. Fowler also doubled to lead off the game and scored a run in Tuesday’s loss.

"“I’m stilling trying to find my legs,” he said. “I really don’t make excuses. I have been weak and been trying to get my timing and stuff back, and I think that’s huge. Getting back to home and getting some rest and all that, it’s definitely helping.”"