The Astros claimed Giants utility man Matt Downs off waivers, after DFAing him in favor of Cody Ross from the Marlins.
Downs is a 26-year old 6'2" 190lb righty, drafted by the Giants in 2006.
In 417 minor-league games, Downs has posted a .300/.361/.482 line, and a .280/.339/.460 line in 789PAs at Triple-A. In 56 games (228 PAs) for Triple-A Fresno this season, he hit .254/.348/.416, after hitting .300/.343/.491 in 2009. His K:BB ratio is under 2.00, and he has played 2B/3B/SS this season.
Downs will report to Round Rock.
The San Francisco Chronicle, on Downs:
Downs is a nice player who projects as a big-league utility infielder. The Giants will not necessarily lose him. If he clears waivers, the Giants can send him back to Fresno outright and he would have no choice but to accept because this would be his first outright assignment.
Whoops, Giants.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
