The Astros have devoted the 2013 season to player development and evaluation, saying they want to answer questions about their athletes before moving on with the next stage of their rebuild. After 15 starts this season, Jordan Lyles’ long-term direction is again a question mark. Lyles, 22, a righthander, was the club’s best starting pitcher from May 17 to June 18 and has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation fixture. But Lyles was demoted to Class AAA Oklahoma City before spring training ended, he’s often been inconsistent, and he was hammered Sunday during the Astros’ 12-5 blowout loss to the Mariners at Minute Maid Park before an announced crowd of [...]