Virus rules sideline Castro
ATLANTA —The Astros removed catcher Jason Castro from their World Series roster because of COVID-19 protocols on Saturday, casting into doubt his availability for the remainder of the series against Atlanta. Houston added Garrett Stubbs to its active roster as Castro’s replacement.
General manager James Click declined to answer whether Castro tested positive for the virus. He currently is on the COVID-19 related injured list, which is used for players who tested positive, are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone that tested positive.
Asked whether Castro could return some time during the World Series, Click replied “that will depend on how the protocols progress over the next couple days.”
Castro is isolating while following the protocols, Click said. No other Astros players have been identified as part of the league’s health and safety protocols, according to Click.
“This team has been through a lot of bumps and bruises and difficult situations like this,”
Click said. “It’s obviously unfortunate timing. Jason is a huge part of this team. We were looking forward to seeing him get some big hits for us in the World Series. We’ve been through this kind of stuff before. We’ll be fine.”
The Astros reached the league’s 85 percent vaccination threshold early in the regular season but still encountered numerous COVID-related problems. Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker and Zack Greinke all tested positive for the virus and missed time. Altuve’s positive test in April caused four other teammates to miss games as close contacts.
The team discovered Castro’s situation Saturday afternoon, Click said. Manager Dusty Baker informed Stubbs he would take Castro’s spot on the active roster before Game 4. The manager joked with Stubbs he would hit cleanup that night.
“It’s exciting,” Stubbs said. “It’s going to be a fun few rest of the games we have in the World Series. Obviously you dream about it as a little kid. I’m glad I’m getting this opportunity.”
Losing Castro robs Baker of his best pinch hitter but should not alter the Astros’ everyday lineup. Martín Maldonado is entrenched as the team’s starting catcher despite his pronounced
offensive struggles.
Castro didn’t start any of Houston’s first 13 postseason games. He received nine plate appearances as a pinch hitter. His go-ahead single in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against Boston is perhaps the club’s biggest hit of the postseason so far.
Castro went 7-for-18 in 23 pinch-hit plate appearances during the regular season. He entered the postseason as Baker’s most valuable bench bat — and a lefthanded one at that. Stubbs also is lefthanded but limited in any meaningful major league experience. He’s taken just 87 career major league plate appearances with a .485 OPS.
Correa, Baker have opposite views on DH
Carlos Correa embraces the inevitable. His manager is less enthused.
Before playing another National League-style World Series game Saturday, Correa advocated for a designated hitter in both leagues to “keep moving the game forward.”
“People come to the ballpark to see a great game, but also they love to see home runs,” Correa said. “Pitchers are not hitting many of them. So I think
the DH should be universal.”
Baker, who managed four National League teams before the Astros hired him last year, said he is in favor of sticking to the status quo, reiterating a viewpoint he’s shared on numerous occasions. Baker worried that a universal designated hitter will harm the growth of the game among young players “that just want to DH at 12 or 13 or 14.”
“There’s more to the game than just hitting if you’re going to be a ballplayer,” Baker said.
The sport’s collective bargaining agreement is scheduled to expire Dec. 1. Many in and around the game expect a universal designated hitter to be part of the negotiations for a new one. The expectation is it will be implemented.
Baseball used the universal designated hitter during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season but returned to its traditional configuration this year. Astros pitchers entered Saturday’s game 1-for-20 with nine strikeouts during their 20 regular season interleague games.
“It’s just a different game when you come to the National League,” Correa said. “I don’t want to say (it’s a) free out, because some of the pitchers can actually hit. But (if ) you just walk the (eight-hole hitter),
you’re in trouble, and then you face a pitcher and get out of the inning.”
Correa’s Astros took advantage of that exact scenario during Game 3, when starter Luis Garcia surrendered a two-out double to Travis d’Arnaud in the second inning. Garcia intentionally walked eight-hole hitter Dansby Swanson and forced opposing starter Ian Anderson to hit. Garcia struck him out on four pitches to finish the inning.
“To me, that’s not real baseball,” Correa said. “I want to see real hitters out there who will make it a little tougher for the pitchers also.”
Straw eager to see his old teammates
A long journey and awful weather did not deter Myles Straw. He could not turn down a chance to watch the World Series, even if some awkwardness is attached. His only dilemma? Which jersey to wear.
Straw, once Houston’s starting center fielder, welcomed a stream of his former teammates before Game 4 on Saturday at Truist Park. He hugged Altuve and Correa before dabbing up Michael Brantley — whose jersey he ultimately chose to wear.
“Coming to watch family, I feel like,” Straw said. “A lot of my best friends (are) over here. I spent many years with these guys. And it’s only a seven-hour drive, so why not?”
The Astros sent Straw to Cleveland at the trade deadline in exchange for reliever Phil Maton. Earlier this week, Baker acknowledged the deal “wasn’t popular” among the team, given Straw’s excellent clubhouse presence and how well-liked he was among teammates.
“It’s all part of the game,” Straw said. “Honestly, I’m just happy to be here. It’s my first time at the stadium, it’s pretty cool and I get to watch two really good teams. It just comes down to watching these guys play. They’ve worked really hard to be here. I’m happy for those guys.”
Straw slashed .285/.362/.377 in 60 games with Cleveland. He is one of three finalists for an American League Gold Glove award, too.
“There’s a lot of brothers over here for me,” Straw said. “Hopefully I came to watch these guys win a baseball game. Just wanted to come and enjoy the World Series.”