Scott

Moore

Moore, 22, had slowed down of late, but he’s at .273/.351/.475 for the year. He’s unlikely to be ready to take over at third base next year if Aramis Ramirez leaves, but he might be a solid regular someday.

Moore, who turns 28 years old later this week, posted a respectable .295/.380/.444 batting line in 425 plate appearances this year at Triple-A Iowa. The journeyman infielder was given an invitation to spring training and could crack the major league roster next season in Houston. He was the No. 8 overall pick in 2002.

Both sac flies scored Jose Altuve. Moore has hit .267 with three homers in 12 games for the Astros, but the 15/1 K/BB ratio in 45 at-bats isn’t pretty. The Astros will eventually give Brett Wallace a crack at the first base job, pushing Moore into a bench role.

It’s likely more than a day-to-day injury. Moore picked up a single in his two at-bats against Kevin Correia before exiting.

Moore was batting a cool .324/.416/.564 with 10 homers and 54 RBI at Oklahoma City. He should see the occasional start at third and second base, but the 28-year-old can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Wallace has played four innings at third base with the Astros this season, but all 17 of his starts have been at first base. However, Scott Moore is making the start at first on Thursday.

The solo blast off Yovani Gallardo was Moore’s second of the season. Moore is versatile defensively, and is likely to see time in the outfield, third base and first base with the recent departure of Carlos Lee.

He finished the day 1-for-4 with the solo blast off Livan Hernandez in the third inning. Moore has provided a nice jolt to the Astros offense, hitting .323 with three homers and four RBI in his first 31 at-bats. He’s seized the open at-bats after Carlos Lee’s departure, and should continue to play every day as long as he keeps hitting.

Moore has gotten plenty of playing time for the going-nowhere Astros and has managed to hit five homers over 25 games. He should be the regular third baseman with Chris Johnson no longer around and deserves attention in NL-only leagues.

Moore had an RBI double in the top of the first inning and a solo blast in the seventh. It was his first three-hit game since September 28, 2007 as a member of the Orioles. The 28-year-old has some pop and should continue to get regular playing time at first base, but he’s not worth considering outside of NL-only leagues.