Astros outright Downs, Petit to Triple-A Fresno

The Astros announced Friday that left-hander Darin Downs has been outrighted to Triple-A Fresno and infielder Gregorio Petit has accepted his assignment to Fresno.

Downs made a career-high 45 appearances for Houston in 2014, and his 5.45 ERA was also a career high. He struck out 27 batters in 34 2/3 innings and held opponents to a .226 batting average.

Petit was designated for assignment on Dec.16 after going 27-for-97 (.278) with two homers and nine RBIs in 37 games for the Astros in 2014. Petit spent most of the season in Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he hit .297 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs.

Both players have also been invited to Spring Training when the Astros open camp in Kissimmee, Fla.