Carlos Lee

Carlos Lee went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Sunday’s 12-inning loss to the Pirates.

The two-hit day was El Caballo’s first in six contests, but he’s still batting an acceptable .269/.336/.378 through Houston’s first 34 games. Lee got off to a slow power start last season before eventually launching 18 home runs.

Carlos Lee (ankle) is back in the Astros’ starting lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

Lee hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle during Friday’s game, but he participated in pre-game workouts Monday without incident. He’ll bat cleanup Tuesday against southpaw Jon Niese.

Carlos Lee (ankle) could be available to pinch hit Monday.

Lee is out of the starting lineup for the third straight game as he nurses a sprained left ankle, but he took ground balls at first base Monday without any issues. Even if he doesn’t get an at-bat Monday, look for him to return to the lineup for Tuesday’s game.

Carlos Lee (ankle) is out of the Astros’ starting lineup again Monday.

Lee hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle during Friday’s game. He’s considered day-to-day right now. Matt Downs will start at first base Monday and bat fifth against Mets’ knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Travis Buck will hit cleanup.

Carlos Lee said Sunday that his sprained left ankle is improving.

“It’s not my call, but I hope to give it a shot,” said Lee. “It’s feeling better. Still a little sore. I won’t know for sure until I get in for treatment [Monday] and move around a little bit.” Astros manager Brad Mills said Lee is one or two days away from getting back on the field. Lee sprained his ankle on Friday and hasn’t played since.

Carlos Lee (ankle) is not in Saturday’s lineup.

X-rays came back negative after Lee rolled his ankle and was removed from Friday’s game. He’s not expected to miss a significant amount of time. The Astros will go with Travis Buck in right field against the right-handed Johnny Cueto. Matt Down is starting at first base and hitting sixth.

Updating a previous item, Carlos Lee has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain and is currently listed as day-to-day.

Lee rolled the ankle while attempting to scoop a ball out of the dirt in the first inning of Friday’s game. X-rays on the ankle came back negative, so he shouldn’t miss a significant amount of time.

Carlos Lee was removed from Friday’s game in the bottom of the first inning with an apparent ankle injury.

The injury occurred while Lee was attempting to scoop a low throw at first base. Matt Downs came into the game to replace Lee. We’ll pass along more updates on his status as soon as we know more.

Carlos Lee had a very strong season debut Friday night against the Rockies, going 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a solo home run.

Lee drove in the Astros’ first run with an RBI single in the first inning, and then added a two-run homer off Wandy Rodriguez in the fourth. The 35-year-old is coming off of a somewhat disappointing 2011 campaign, but has always been a solid run producer. Hitting in the middle of the Astros’ lineup, he should be able to approach 100 RBI again this season.