Astros optioned infielder Matt Downs to Triple-A Oklahoma City. 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.

Matt Downs will start in right field Monday for the first in his major league career. 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.

Matt Downs blasted a three-run homer in the ninth inning on Monday, though the Astros fell 9-5 to the Rockies. Downs has put up solid numbers (.860 OPS) this season despite not getting a chance to play every day. He has not been much of a producer in the past, so it will be interesting to see if and how he is utilized heading into next season.

Matt Downs doubled twice and drove in two runs in Houston's loss to the Cubs on Monday. Downs is now 5-for-9 with three doubles in his past two starts. However, those are the only two starts he's made in the month of August.

Astros activated INF Matt Downs from the bereavement list. Downs left the team following Sunday's game to be present for the birth of his first son. He returns to a .252/.347/.505 batting line to go along with six homers and 22 RBI over 124 plate appearances this season.

Astros placed IF Matt Downs on Paternity Leave List. His wife, Leah, is expecting a child. He'll rejoin the team Friday in Chicago. Downs has been getting quite a bit of playing time of late, particularly at third base, but he's struggled at the plate recently.

Astros manager Brad Mills indicated that Matt Downs could be his regular third baseman for a while. "There's no doubt that we are anxious about that, getting (Downs) some opportunities," Mills said. "I think we're in a position now where we're able to do that a little bit. I had a talk with (Chris Johnson) yesterday. This is nothing against him. We're still looking for him to be a big, vital part of this. Let's work on some things and get through some things and see how it does. The more information we gather now, the fewer questions we're going to have later." Downs has a solid .260/.355/.519 batting line with six homers in 104 at-bats this season. He's worth adding in NL-only leagues, but the upside with the 27-year-old is minimal.

Astros manager Brad Mills plans to give Matt Downs more playing time going forward. Downs belted a game-winning, ninth-inning homer off the Rangers' Neftali Feliz Wednesday and has been successful as a pinch-hitter, going is 7-for-18 (.389) at the plate. "The way to keep him swinging the bat so well off the bench is to give him some more starts, give him some more playing time," Mills said. "We want to do that going forward. He's earned that right, to be able to do it." Chris Johnson and Jeff Keppinger figure to see their at-bats drop a bit, though Downs is also capable of playing shortstop, so Clint Barmes could cede some at-bats, as well.