HOUSTON -- Astros infielder Matt Downs was activated from the paternity leave list Wednesday following the team's 3-2 victory in 11 innings over the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park.
He's scheduled to rejoin the Astros for the start of their 10-game road trip, beginning Friday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Downs returned home to Alabama following the Astros' three-game weekend series versus the Pittsburgh Pirates in order to be with his wife, Leah, who gave birth on Monday to the couple's first child -- son Matthew Jr. -- who weighed seven pounds, five ounces.
The "paternity leave" roster rule was implemented in 2011 to allow a team to replace a player who is an expectant father for one to three days on the roster to be available for the birth of their child.
In a corresponding roster move, Houston optioned left-hander Wesley Wright to Triple-A Oklahoma City just three days after recalling him to fill Downs' temporary, vacated spot on the 25-man active roster.
Wright didn't see action in his stint.
The 26-year-old Wright returns to Oklahoma City with a 2-1 record and 2.63 ERA over 48 innings in 29 games (three starts) this season.
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