Houston Astros catcher Humberto Quintero left the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night after taking the worst of a home-plate collision with Arizona second baseman Ryan Roberts. Quintero was not able to put much weight on his leg after leaving, and this could be a long-term injury for the Astros stalwart backup catcher. Quintero is one of two Astros, along with Wandy Rodriguez, who played for the 2005 NL Champions.
In the wake of the Buster Posey injury, SB Nation’s Rob Neyer believes that home-plate collisions ought to no longer be a part of the game. While Quintero hardly has the stature that Posey does in the game, it’s may be good timing for Neyer’s proposal that another steamrolled catcher left with an injury following a collision.
J.R. Towles replaced Quintero in the game. The Astros are currently trailing the Diamondbacks 7-6. The Astros have no other catchers on their 40-man roster that are healthy. Carlos Corporan finished runner up to Towles for the second catcher gig, and may be the replacement if Quintero’s injury is long term.
EDIT: Per Zachary Levine, the official diagnosis is a sprained right ankle for Quintero. X-Rays are being taken, and likely an MRI will follow. The Astros will have to make a roster move after the game to bring in a second catcher.