Stassi happy to get back behind the plate

ARLINGTON -- Max Stassi was sitting in the visiting dugout during batting practice on Monday in full gear when one of the Astros coaches jokingly told him he could take the gear off at any time. Who could blame Stassi for wanting to keep it on as much as possible?

Stassi was activated from the seven-day concussion disabled list for Monday's series opener against the Rangers and caught the final three innings and went 0-for-1 at the plate. It was his first action since he was hit in the face by Rangers pitcher Tanner Scheppers and sustained a concussion Aug. 21 in Arlington.

"It felt good to get out there for that first appearance back there, and it felt good to finally do it after talking about it for so long," Stassi said.

Stassi caught seven innings and got five at-bats during one game of instructional league at the team's Spring Training facility in Kissimmee, Fla., in preparation for returning.

"I was down for four weeks, but I've been running and doing the bike," he said. "Physically, I feel great."

Stassi sustained his injury in only his second Major League game, but he hadn't seen any time behind the plate in a Major League game until Monday.

"I want to get that first one out of the way and just learn the staff is the main thing," Stassi said before Monday's 12-0 loss. "Just try to finish off the year and try to carry it over to Spring Training. Just getting big league experience is a lot more valuable."