Astros win arbitration case with catcher Jason Castro

The Houston Astros have won their salary arbitration case with catcher Jason Castro, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman:

Astros beat jason Castro in arbitration

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 9, 2016

The Astros and Castro couldn't agree on a salary before the end of Janurary, sending the Astros to arbitration for the first time under general manager Jeff Luhnow. Castro presented a figure of $5.25 million to arbitrators Matt Goldberg, Gary Kendellen and James Oldham, and the Astros argued for $5 million.

With the Astros victory, Castro's salary will be $5 million in 2016. A $1 million increase from last year and his final year before free agency.

It is the first loss for the players in arbitration this season, after three pitchers were success in arguing their cases: Toronto's Jesse Chavez ($4 million), Tampa Bay's Drew Smyly ($3.75 million) and Cincinnati's J.J. Hoover ($1.4 million).

Castro batted .211 (71 x 337) with 38 runs scored, 19 doubles, 11 home runs, 31 RBIs, 115 strikeouts, 33 walks, .283 on-base percentage, and a .365 slugging percentage in 2015 -- his lowest batting average since his rookie season in 2010. Castro excelled this season on the defensive side, posting a .999 fielding percentage, throwing out 36 percent of runners, and showing a excelled level of framing pitches -- he was considered for the 2015 AL Gold Glove Award for catchers in 2015.

The Astros still have a case with Evan Gattis remaining, assuming he doesn't reach a deal with the team.