Maxwell placed on DL; Moore purchased from Triple-A

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have placed outfielder Justin Maxwell on the 15-day Disabled List as a result of loose bodies in his left ankle, General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced today.

Maxwell, who has not played in the outfield since June 20 due to lingering discomfort in his ankle, will undergo an arthroscopic procedure within the next week to remove the loose bodies. He is expected to be out approximately four to six weeks. Maxwell has eight home runs and 24 RBI in 61 games this season with a Major League-best three pinch-hit home runs.

To replace Maxwell on the roster, the Astros have purchased the contract of infielder Scott Moore from Triple A Oklahoma City. Moore is expected to arrive in Houston this evening and will be active for tonight’s game. In 73 games at OKC, Moore hit .318 with 26 doubles, 10 home runs and 54 RBI with a .410 on-base-pct. and a .555 slugging pct.

He currently ranks second in the Pacific Coast League in doubles, tied for fourth in RBI and 10th in OPS. The 28-year-old Moore, who was originally a first-round draft pick of the Tigers in 2002, was with the Astros in Spring Training after signing to a minor league contract on November 15, 2011. He has played in a combined 80 Major League games with the Cubs and Orioles over parts of four seasons (2006-08, 2010).

BUCK DESIGNATED; MARTINEZ OPTIONED

Luhnow also announced today that outfielder Travis Buck has been reinstated from the 15-day Disabled List and designated for assignment, and that outfielder Fernando Martinez has been reinstated from the 15-day DL and optioned to

Triple A Oklahoma City.

The Astros have 10 days to make a decision on Buck’s contract. Buck, who had been on a rehab assignment with Double A Corpus Christi while recovering from tendinitis in his right achilles, appeared in 33 games for the Astros this season prior to going on the DL on May 29.

Martinez, 23, played in six games with OKC while on a rehab assignment prior to being reinstated from the DL and optioned. He had been on the DL with post concussion syndrome. For the season, Martinez is hitting .340 in 57 games for the RedHawks with eight home runs and 40 RBI. He appeared in four games for the Astros Major League club prior to being placed on the DL on June 9.