Rigors of catching evident to Chirinos

Though none have resulted in long-term problems, the insane amount of foul tips absorbed by catcher Robinson Chirinos is cause for attention from the Astros.

In the Astros’ last seven games prior to Sunday, Chirinos took two foul balls square off his facemask, forcing manager A.J. Hinch and head trainer Jeremiah Randall to put the 34-yearold backstop through a battery of concussion tests on the field.

While with the Rays in spring training before the 2012 season, Chirinos sustained a concussion that kept him out through the regular season.

“We go out on the field maybe at a higher rate than we would if it was (backup Max Stassi) or the other catchers just because of the history,” Hinch said. “We want to make sure and err on the side of caution with that stuff. That’s pretty significant stuff when you’re talking about head injuries.”

Chirinos did not exit either game in which he was hit in the face — on May 11 against the Rangers and Friday against the Red Sox. He was given Saturday off, though Hinch intimated that was the predetermined plan regardless of Chirinos’ health.

“The guy gets hit more than any catcher I’ve ever been around, for whatever reason. I think it’s more unlucky than anything, but he’s handling it fine,” Hinch, a former catcher himself, said Saturday. “When a guy gets beat up, I’m very empathetic with that position and all he goes through. He seems to get hit by a pitch or a few foul tips per game. It’s the nature of the job.”