J.R. Towles (chin) is now available to play defense. Good news. Towles hasn't played since suffering a gash on his chin from being hit in the catcher's mask with a foul tip during Friday's game. While he originally tried to wear a hockey-style catching mask to compensate for the injury, he has simply added some padding to his standard mask.

J.R. Towles is unavailable to catch while the cut on his chin heals. The cut rubs up against his catcher's mask and the Astros don't want to risk it getting worse. Towles will be available only to pinch-hit, which he did Saturday, likely for the next few days. The Astros have called up Brian Esposito to serve as the backup to Carlos Corporan.

J.R. Towles returned to action on Saturday June 25.

J.R. Towles had to exit Friday's game in the third inning after taking a pair of foul tips off the mask. Towles has had a rough week. He was starting for the first time in over a week Friday due to being beat up from numerous foul tips, and now it's knocked him out again. He had a bloody chin as a result of one of the foul tips, though it's not clear if he might have suffered a concussion. We'll update his status when more is known. Carlos Corporan took his spot behind the plate.

J.R. Towles returned to action on Wednesday June 22.

J.R. Towles remained out of the lineup Sunday for the second straight game due to general soreness. Towles is available off the bench, if needed, but the Astros would prefer not to play him. He could be back in the lineup Monday against the Rangers. Carlos Corporan is getting another start.

J.R. Towles was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup due to general soreness. Towles will join Hunter Pence for Astros scratched from Saturday's game against the Dodgers. Carlos Corporan will start in Towles place. He is considered day-to-day.