The Astros are signing catcher Matt Thaiss to a minor league contract and assigning him to Triple-A Sugar Land, according to the MLB.com transaction log. While that’s adequate offense for a backup catcher, Thaiss doesn’t have the plus glove which teams typically like in that role. Thaiss’ typically strong plate discipline was unchanged. Salazar, who was outrighted last month, went on the minor league IL this week. Thaiss is a depth pickup who’d probably get the call if either of the big league catchers suffer an injury before Price or Salazar return.