Marlins signed INF/OF Matt Downs to a minor league contract. He'll receive an invitation to spring training. Downs batted .241/.303/.448 with 18 homers over the last two seasons with the Astros while playing six different positions. The 28-year-old's best chance at playing time with the Marlins will probably be at second base, where the club is currently slated to go with Donovan Solano. He could also wind up seeing ample time at third if Placido Polanco's back acts up again.

The Marlins are expected to sign Matt Downs to a minor league contract. The deal is expected to include a spring training invite. Downs batted just .202/.253/.371 in 91 games last season and will compete for a utility role with the Marlins.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that the Phillies, Marlins and Rockies are showing interest in Matt Downs. Downs hit 18 homers over the last two years for the Astros in a utility role but has put up an unappealing .230/.296/.406 career batting line. It will only take a minor league deal to sign him.

Matt Downs has elected free agency. Downs batted just .202/.253/.371 over 91 games for Houston this season. The 29-year-old will have to settle for a minor league deal elsewhere.

Astros designated INF/OF Matt Downs for assignment. He was cleared from the 40-man roster in advance of free agency and December's Rule 5 Draft. Downs, 28, batted .202/.253/.371 with eight home runs, 16 RBI and a .623 OPS in 191 plate appearances this season.

Matt Downs smashed a two-run homer in a losing effort against the Phillies on Friday night. He finished the game 1-for-3. His two-run blast off Cole Hamels in the fourth inning cut the Astros deficit to 5-3, but that was as close as they would get. Downs has struggled in a part-time role this season, hitting a paltry .206/.250/.382 with eight homers and 16 RBI in 170 at-bats.

Astros recalled INF-OF Matt Downs from Triple-A Oklahoma City. 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.

Astros optioned INF/OF Matt Downs to Triple-A Oklahoma City. 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.

Matt Downs homered once and barely pulled a second foul Thursday against the Giants. 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.

Astros recalled INF Matt Downs from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He'll replace Fernando Martinez (concussion) on the active roster. Downs will serve as infield depth and could see the occasional at-bat against left-handed pitching. He typically bad offensively prior to being demoted last week.