Downs was reassigned to Astros' minor league camp on Sunday.

Downs, 30, allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits and four walks with three strikeouts over 4.2 Grapefruit League innings. The lefty-specialist will likely report to Triple-A Fresno to open 2015.

Downs cleared waivers Friday and has been outrighted to Triple-A Fresno.

The move clears room on the 40-man roster, while Downs receives an invitation to major league spring training. Downs, who turned 30 Friday, made 45 appearances for the Astros last season, posting a 5.45 ERA across 34.2 cumulative innings.

Downs left Friday's game with discomfort in his right oblique. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After missing 16 games with a similar injury in August, it is likely that the southpaw will miss the remainder of the season. The situational lefty struggled all year posting an ERA above 5.00, while splitting time in the minor leagues and with the Astros.

The Astros activated Downs (oblique) from the disabled list Tuesday.

Downs is ready to go after recovering from an oblique injury that landed him on the disabled list in mid-August. Expect him to work as a situational lefty for the Astros the rest of the way.

Downs (oblique) is nearing a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Downs will take Wednesday and Thursday off before joining Corpus Christi on Friday. He's expected to make two rehab appearances in the minors before likely rejoining the Astros on September 2.

Downs (oblique) threw a bullpen session Sunday, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Downs will increase the intensity of his throws during his next session, which is set to take place Tuesday. The Astros should welcome him back to their bullpen in September, possibly as soon as the first of the month, when rosters expand.

Downs (oblique) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

A strained right oblique has pushed the 29-year-old reliever to the trainer's room until the end of August, at the earliest. Since the break, his pitching has been a bit more crisp, as he's allowed two runs on two hits and three walks to go with five strikeouts in 7.2 innings across 10 outings.

Downs is dealing with a minor oblique issue, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Downs' injury in part led to the recall of Kevin Chapman on Friday. It's unclear how long he will be unavailable out of the bullpen, but the team added an extra arm to replace him.

Astros recalled LHP Darin Downs from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Downs posted a 5.54 ERA but held a 15/4 K/BB ratio over 13 Triple-A frames to earn the promotion. He'll work in the middle innings.

Astros optioned LHP Darin Downs to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The 29-year-old southpaw could've secured a spot in the Opening Day bullpen with a strong spring, but compiled a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 2/4 K/BB ratio in his 9 1/3 innings of Cactus League play. He'll get an opportunity with the Astros at some point during the 2014 campaign.

Astros claimed LHP Darin Downs off waivers from the Tigers.

Downs battled a shoulder injury for much of this season, but he struck out over a batter per inning when healthy. He should fill a middle relief role for the Astros next season.

Tigers recalled LHP Darin Downs from Triple-A Toledo.

The 28-year-old southpaw has appeared in 26 games for the Tigers this season, posting a 5.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 37/10 K/BB ratio over 33 innings of work. The Tigers have struggled to find steady left-handed specialists in the bullpen this season, which is the role Downs will be used in over the final three weeks.

Tigers activated LHP Darin Downs from the 15-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Toledo.

Downs is over his shoulder ailment, but there's no room for him in the bullpen at the moment. He should be back up in September.

Darin Downs (shoulder) will move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.

Downs has been out since early July with left rotator cuff tendinitis, but didn't report any setbacks in his first rehab appearance for Low-A Michigan on Saturday. If all goes well, he could return Wednesday against the Nationals.

Darin Downs (shoulder) could be activated from the disabled list Friday.

Downs struck out one in a perfect inning for Low-A Michigan Thursday, and it sounds like that's the only rehab outing he'll need. "Darin looked good," Whitecaps pitching coach Mike Henneman said. "No pain. Looks good to go."

Darin Downs (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Low-A West Michigan on Wednesday.

Downs was cleared after throwing live BP Monday with no issues. It's possible he could be ready for activation before the end of the month.

Darin Downs (shoulder) threw live batting practice Monday.

Downs has been out since early July with left rotator cuff tendinitis, but he's apparently making some progress. It's not clear when he might rejoin the Tigers' bullpen.

Tigers placed LHP Darin Downs on the 15-day disabled list with left rotator cuff tendinitis.

Perhaps it could explain Downs' struggles of late, as he holds a 10.13 ERA since the beginning of June after getting off to a nice start. It's not clear how long he'll be sidelined.

Darin Downs has cracked Detroit's Opening Day bullpen.

Downs posted a 0.64 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 16/3 K/BB ratio across 14 innings this spring in the Grapefruit League to earn the job. The 28-year-old lefty should do fine.

Left-hander Darin Downs is up to six scoreless innings this spring after retiring three of the four Blue Jays he faced Wednesday.

Downs is likely to make the Tigers as things stand now, but that would probably change if the team goes outside the organization for a closer. As is, Phil Coke would be the favorite for saves, and since he'll often be saved for the ninth, a second lefty would be a pretty valuable piece for the pen.