Last month, Astros backup catcher Víctor Caratini signed with the Minnesota Twins. The former Astros player became a free agent at the end of the 2025 season and agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal.
Caratini was brought in back in 2023 to back up Yainer Díaz, and he’s filled that role for the past two seasons. With him moving on, the question now is: who will take over behind the plate?
The Astros do have César Salazar on their 40-man roster, giving them at least one internal option. They also signed Carlos Pérez, 35, back in November, and he’s now a non-roster invitee for Spring Training. Both could compete for the backup role if Díaz isn’t fully healthy.
The need for a reliable backup has been present for a while, but it’s more pressing now because of Díaz’s current condition.
Díaz sprained his ankle in December during winter ball. He’s progressing, but he’s not yet at 100%, and having a dependable catcher is vital for roster stability.
Nothing is official yet, but Salazar and Pérez give the Astros options if it comes to that point. Christian Vázquez, a free agent currently with Caratini’s new team in Minnesota, has also been linked to Houston. Could he be the veteran backup Díaz needs?
It’s still unclear where the Astros will find their next backup catcher or how they’ll acquire one. The gap is becoming more noticeable as Opening Day nears. Either way, the team needs a backup, and the hope is that Díaz will be fully healthy and ready to go with confidence when the season starts.