Astros beat Castro in arbitration, catcher gets $5 million

Jason Castro walks to the dugout after striking out in the sixth inning of a baseball game. (Patric Schneider/AP)

PHOENIX — Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro became the first player to lose in salary arbitration this year.

Castro was awarded $5 million on Tuesday by arbitrators Matt Goldberg, Gary Kendellen and James Oldham , who heard arguments a day earlier. Castro had asked for a raise from $4 million to $5.25 million.

The 28-year-old was an All-Star in 2013. He hit .211 last season, his lowest average since his rookie season in 2010, and had 11 homers and 31 RBIs. He made 102 starts at catcher and threw out 36 per cent (24 of 66) of runners attempting to steal.

Castro started all six of Houston’s post-season games and hit .063 (1 for 16).

Players are 3-1 in arbitration this year. The pitchers won their hearings: Toronto’s Jesse Chavez ($4 million), Tampa Bay’s Drew Smyly ($3.75 million) and Cincinnati’s J.J. Hoover ($1.4 million).

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