Castro remains sidelined with right knee soreness

HOUSTON -- It's been nearly two weeks since All-Star catcher Jason Castro has been behind the plate for the Astros because of a knee injury. He said Sunday he's making strides, but doesn't sound like a player ready for game situations.

Castro admitted last week he likely came back too soon from having a cyst drained on his right knee two days after he aggravated by fouling a ball off of it on Sept. 1. Castro started at designated hitter Sept. 6 and 7 against Oakland and went 0-for-9, and hasn't played since.

Castro hit a little bit in the batting cage Saturday and did some running, and manager Bo Porter said he's not going to play him until he's 100 percent.

"I definitely feel better than before," he said. "I think still there's a little bit of time probably left, but it's definitely making progress. From how I felt when we were in Oakland until now, it's definitely gotten better. We're kind of still evaluating and seeing what it looks like."

Asked if there was a chance he might not catch again this season, Castro wasn't sure.

"It's something I won't know until it happens," he said. "I'm not really concerned about it structurally. Everything is fine. From that aspect of it, I'm not concerned, but it's tough because it's a wait-and-see approach, and there's nothing more I can do other than listen to what it's telling me and how it feels."

Castro said that because the knee is structurally sound, he doesn't necessarily think it would put his mind at ease if he were able to catch again before the season is over. Porter, however, would like to see him behind the plate to benefit the catcher's psyche.