Matt

Downs

While Downs hasn’t played the outfield in the big leagues, he has made 29 appearances there in the minors. The Astros have discussed giving him a look behind the plate during spring training next February, so they clearly see him as a utility-type moving forward. The 27-year-old is batting .278/.351/.500 with eight homers, 33 RBI and an .851 OPS over 202 plate appearances this season.

Lee hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle during Friday’s game. He’s considered day-to-day right now. Matt Downs will start at first base Monday and bat fifth against Mets’ knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Travis Buck will hit cleanup.

He’ll replace Fernando Martinez (concussion) on the active roster. Downs will serve as infield depth and could see semi-regular at-bat against left-handed pitching. He provided zero offense prior to being demoted last week.

The move clears a spot for the newly-acquired Tyler Greene on the active roster. J.D. Martinez was also sent down to the minors, but a corresponding roster move isn’t yet known. Downs is hitting .208 with seven homers, 13 RBI and a .628 OPS in 76 games with the Astros this season. He figures to return later this season.

Downs is hitting just .171, but four of his 14 hits have been homers. It remains to be seen whether the Astros will keep him around after Carlos Lee returns from the disabled list.

Downs raised his average from .171 to .191 today. He has seven homers in limited action, but it’s really the only thing he’s contributed; besides the putrid average, he’s walked just five times and he’s been caught on four of his six steal attempts.

Downs’ third-inning blast off of Clayton Richard was just his second since May 15. Batting .177/.218/.375 in a part-time role, Downs is off the radar in NL-only leagues.

Downs hit .208/.252/.377 with seven home runs and 13 RBI in 154 at-bats with the big-league club earlier this season, and can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Downs was a terrific part-timer last year, hitting .276/.347/.518 with 41 RBI in 199 at-bats for an Astros team that was pretty terrible offensively. This season, though, he’s hit just .152/.211/.348 in 66 at-bats. He’ll get regular starts in the minors for a bit, and if he succeeds, he’ll likely be brought back.

Both players aren’t regulars at the position, but it should serve as an upgrade offensively, while allowing Chris Johnson to move to third base. Downs will be in the lineup against left-handed pitching, as he was Friday against Madison Bumgarner.