Astros Place Castro, Lowrie on DL

Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie and catcher Jason Castro were placed on the 15-day Disabled List today, General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced.

To replace them on the roster, the Astros have reinstated shortstop Marwin Gonzalez from the 15-day DL and have purchased the contract of catcher Carlos Corporan from Triple A Oklahoma City. Both Gonzalez and Corporan are in the starting lineup for today’s 3:05 p.m. CT game in San Francisco.  To make room on the 40-man roster, the Astros have transferred RHP Kyle Weiland to the 60-day DL.

Lowrie was injured in the third inning of last night’s game when Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco slid into his right foot during a close play at second base. Lowrie sustained a sprained right ankle as well as an injury to the peroneal nerve in his right leg. He is receiving treatment today from the Astros training staff and is scheduled to return to Houston for further examination. Lowrie is second among all Major League shortstops in home runs with a club-best 14.

Castro was placed on the DL due to an effusion (fluid) in his right knee. He began experiencing swelling and discomfort in his knee following the July 7 game vs. Milwaukee and has not played in a game since. His DL stint has been backdated to July 8. Prior to the injury, Castro had been hitting well with a .306 batting average in his last 24 games since May 31.

Gonzalez, who had been on the DL recovering from a bruised right heel, hit .333 in 13 rehab games with Triple A Oklahoma City with a home run and 10 RBI. Prior to going on the DL, the 23-year-old Gonzalez hit .261 in 37 games with the Astros in what is his rookie season. Corporan hit .273 in 51 games with the RedHawks this season with five home runs and 20 RBI. He has Major League experience, starting 46 games at catcher for the Astros in 2011.