"Astros slugger Carlos Lee made his first start at first base in nearly 11 years in Saturday's win over the Pirates.

"We've been working on it," said Lee, who has been taking ground balls and making throws for about a month. "The only way to find out is to go out there and do it."

While it was not the first time he covered first base this season — he played four innings in an Aug. 8 loss at Milwaukee — Lee's start was his first since Oct. 3, 1999, when he was with the Chicago White Sox.

Astros manager Brad Mills said rookie Brett Wallace will continue to get the bulk of the playing time at first base, but he said giving Lee a trial run there will help him see what options he has available going forward.

"It's not a platoon situation," said Mills, who rested Wallace, a lefthanded bat, against Pirates lefty Paul Maholm.

Mills said Lee, who was an infielder in the minors, has been most receptive to the idea of getting some playing time in the infield."