Travis

Buck

Buck exited Wednesday’s game after tweaking his left hamstring. He has dealt with hamstring issues in the past, but this one is apparently minor. Consider him day-to-day right now.

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.

Interestingly, he was immediately lifted for a pinch-runner; it’s unclear whether that decision was due to a lingering hamstring ailment or the fact that he’s just not that fast. It was his first appearance in almost a week.

It’s certainly not anything he’s done in spring training that has him ahead of the pack, as he’s batting just .115/.233/.154. Travis Buck is hitting .350 over 20 at-bats, while Jack Cust is hitless in 24 at-bats. Bogusevic is merely a deep NL-only league play with an everyday job.

Buck left Wednesday’s game with a left hamstring strain and didn’t play Thursday. “The hamstring is kind of like the anchor of my swing, where I feel it a little bit in my stance,” Buck said. The outfielder has dealt with left hamstring issues for much of his career, but added that “it’s obviously not as bad as it’s felt in the past.” The Astros at this point don’t think a stint on the disabled list will be needed.

Buck became a big long shot to make the Astros once Jack Cust was signed, but with a .346 average, a homer and four doubles in 26 at-bats this spring, he’s really improved his chances. He’s certainly outplayed both Brian Bogusevic and Cust, so he might earn a share of the right-field job.

He’s considered day-to-day and should be available by this weekend, if not before. Justin Maxwell replaced him in the lineup.

It looks like Buck will win the bench job the Astros originally intended to give Jack Cust. He’s 11-for-33 with a homer and five doubles this spring.

Buck posted a weak .228/.275/.342 batting line in 160 plate appearances this season for the Indians, but he’s flashed potential in previous years. The 27-year-old outfielder will try to win a spot on the Houston bench once spring training rolls around.

He had missed the last three weeks with a heel injury. Buck should have a good shot at clearing waivers and remaining in the organization.