Brian

Bixler

Bixler had a nice spring but didn’t make the Opening Day roster until Jed Lowrie was injured. He figures to share the shortstop job with Marwin Gonzalez until Lowrie returns, which could be a week from now. The career .187/.248/.247 hitter can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Brian Bixler gets the nod at second base and will hit second for the Astros.

The move clears a spot on the 25-man roster for starter Jordan Lyles. Bixler was briefly called up for Marwin Gonzalez, who is on paternity leave.

He was cleared to make room for Jed Lowrie, who will be activated from the disabled list before Friday’s game. Bixler is 1-for-6 in five games with the Astros this season.

Bixler had an RBI single in his other at-bat today. The veteran utilityman is 3-for-8 as he attempts to claim a spot on Houston’s bench.

Bixler has spent most of his career as a middle infielder, but the Astros have him playing the outfield this spring as he attempts to make the club as a utilityman. With a .333 average, two homers, a triple and three walks in 15 at-bats, he’s been as hot as anyone on the club. Still, he’s not a long-term piece for the Astros and the team shouldn’t be looking at him as more than a 25th man.

It’s his second stint with the club, as he went 1-for-6 at the plate in five games with the Astros this season. His stay should be short, as he’s just up in place of Marwin Gonzalez, who is on paternity leave.

Bixler, 29, batted just .205/.267/.265 with zero homers and a .532 OPS over 94 plate appearances with the Nationals this season. He’ll try to earn a roster spot as a utility player during spring training.

He was cleared in order to make room for Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland on the 40-man roster. Bixler, who was claimed off waivers from the Nationals in November, batted just .205 and a .532 OPS over 94 plate appearances this past season while playing shortstop, third base, first base and all three outfield positions.

Bixler was outrighted off the Astros’ 40-man roster last week after batting just .205 with a .532 OPS across 94 major league plate appearances in 2011. He’ll try to work his way back up during spring training.