Astros place Brian McCann on disabled list

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PHOENIX --- The Astros are down to their third- and fourth-string catchers after Brian McCann joined Evan Gattis (concussion) on the disabled list Monday because of what the team described as right knee soreness.

McCann flew back to Houston from Phoenix on Monday afternoon to visit with team doctors. He had been playing through the injury for "the better part of a couple weeks," according to manager A.J. Hinch.

"He gutted it out for a while," Hinch said before the Astros' series opener against the Diamondbacks at Chase FIeld. "I changed his playing time a little bit to try to keep the inflammation out of his knee. But it became too much and we decided to put him on the DL."

Max Stassi was promoted from Class AAA Fresno to replace McCann on the active roster. Because the Astros removed Stassi from their 40-man roster in March, he had to be re-added Monday. To clear a spot on their 40-man, the Astros designated righthander Jordan Jankowski for assignment.

Stassi will serve as the right-handed hitting complement to the left-handed hitting Juan Centeno, who came up from Class AAA when Gattis was placed on the seven-day concussion DL on Aug. 5. Gattis has been working out at Minute Maid Park but according to Hinch hasn't resumed baseball activities outside of simply playing catch.

"(Gattis') symptoms have decreased and he's not having as many headaches and dizzy spells, but he's still not OK yet," Hinch said.

Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann (16) keeps his eyes on Minnesota Twins players on the base while retrieving a ball during the top ninth inning of the game at Minute Maid Park Sunday, July 16, 2017, in Houston. Houston Astros defeated Minnesota Twins 5-3.( Yi-Chin Lee / Houston Chronicle ) less Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann (16) keeps his eyes on Minnesota Twins players on the base while retrieving a ball during the top ninth inning of the game at Minute Maid Park Sunday, July 16, 2017, in ... more Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Astros place Brian McCann on disabled list 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

As for McCann, Hinch said he noticed him favoring his knee Sunday to the point where he had difficulty going down steps. The two talked after the game.

"It had just gotten to the point to where it was effecting virtually every aspect of his game," Hinch said.

McCann's offensive production has waned dating to late June. In his last 30 games, he's batting .179/.254/.291 with three home runs in 117 at-bats. The recent stretch has dropped his season slash line to .232/.313/.407 with 13 homers in 280 at-bats.

The Astros also Monday optioned lefthander Reymin Guduan to Class AAA open a spot on the active roster for reliever Tyler Clippard, who joined the Astros on Monday at Chase Field and will wear No. 19. Clippard, acquired by the Astros late Sunday from the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later or cash, was available to pitch Monday.

Odds & ends

- Clippard's No. 19 was last worn by the injured Colin Moran (facial fractures), who's now number-less.

- By designating Jankowski for assignment, the Astros have seven days to try to pass him through outright waivers or find a trade partner.

- Stassi was batting .266/.383/.473 with 12 homers in 241 at-bats in Class AAA this season. He will catch Brad Peacock on Tuesday afternoon, according to Hinch.