By Eric Gilmore Astros catcher Jason Castro took another huge step Thursday in his recovery from an injury to his right knee and could return to the starting lineup Friday night against the Athletics. Castro, who on Tuesday had an inflamed cyst on his knee drained, was out of the lineup for the third straight game Thursday as the Astros opened a four-game series with Oakland. But he hit in the cage and took batting practice on the field before the game. Manger Bo Porter said his All-Star catcher “very well could be available to hit later in the game” Thursday night. “It’s feeling a lot better today,” Castro said. [...]