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Matt Downs | First Baseman

Team: Miami Marlins
Age / DOB:  (29) / 3/19/1984
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 185
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

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. Jan 20 - 9:38 AM

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Player News

Date:
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports the Marlins are close to signing 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 with the Astros last season. If signed, he would compete for a utility role.
Related: Marlins
Source: Joe Frisaro on Twitter
Jan 19 - 9:58 AM
Matt Downs - 1B - 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.
Related: Rockies, Marlins, Phillies
Source: Brian McTaggart on Twitter
Thu, Dec 6, 2012 07:36:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Thu, Nov 1, 2012 10:57:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Tue, Oct 30, 2012 03:19:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Sat, Sep 15, 2012 12:33:00 AM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Sat, Sep 1, 2012 04:31:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Thu, Aug 9, 2012 11:33:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

Matt Downs went 3-for-4 with a pair homers and four RBI against the Padres on Wednesday.

Downs raised his average from .171 to .191 today. He has seven homers in limited action, but it's really the only thing he's contributed; besides the putrid average, he's walked just five times and he's been caught on four of his six steal attempts.
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 06:15:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

Matt Downs' solo home run was the extent of the scoring in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Padres.

Downs' third-inning blast off of Clayton Richard was just his second since May 15. Batting .177/.218/.375 in a part-time role, Downs is off the radar in NL-only leagues.
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 10:40:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Thu, Jun 14, 2012 06:22:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

Astros recalled INF/OF 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 semi-regular at-bat against left-handed pitching. He provided zero offense prior to being demoted last week.
Sat, Jun 9, 2012 01:06:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Sat, Jun 2, 2012 11:28:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

Matt Downs hit a two-run homer in Monday's win over the Cardinals.

Downs' 10th home run came off Jaime Garcia in the fourth. The 27-year-old utility player is batting .276/.347/.518 through 222 plate appearances, and should begin 2012 as the first player off Houston's bench.
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 11:44:00 PM
Matt Downs - 1B - Marlins

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.
Source: Houston Chronicle
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 06:40:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Rob Brantly
2Jeff Mathis
3Miguel Olivo
1B1Logan Morrison
2Casey Kotchman
3Jordan Brown
2B1Derek Dietrich
2Chris Valaika
SS1Adeiny Hechavarria
3B1Placido Polanco
2Greg Dobbs
3Ed Lucas
LF1Juan Pierre
2Austin Kearns
3Matt Diaz
CF1Chris Coghlan
2Justin Ruggiano
RF1Giancarlo Stanton
2Marcell Ozuna
3Alfredo Silverio
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Ricky Nolasco
2Jose Fernandez
3Nathan Eovaldi
4Henderson Alvarez
5Jacob Turner
6Tom Koehler
7Alex Sanabia
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Steve Cishek
2Mike Dunn
3Ryan Webb
4Chad Qualls
5A.J. Ramos
6Dan Jennings
7Kevin Slowey
8Jose Ceda