A's Trade LHP Scott Kazmir to Houston

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's traded left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros for right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham, the club announced today. To take Kazmir's spot on the roster, the A's have recalled right-handed pitcher Arnold Leon.

Kazmir was 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts with the A's. He ranks fourth in the American League in opponents batting average (.213) and slugging percentage (.316) and is fifth in ERA and opponents on-base percentage (.279). The 31-year-old left-hander is 3-1 with a 1.35 ERA and .175 opponents batting average over his last seven starts. Kazmir was signed by the A's as a free agent Dec. 4, 2013 and went 20-14 with a 3.12 ERA in 40 starts in two seasons with the A's. He is 96-84 with a 3.95 ERA in 259 career appearances, including 258 starts.

Mengden began the season at Single-A Quad Cities and went 4-1 with a 1.16 ERA in eight games, six starts, before he was promoted to Single-A Lancaster of the California League May 23. He logged a 2-1 record and 5.26 ERA in 10 games, eight starts, with the JetHawks and has a combined record of 6-2 with a 3.46 ERA in 18 games, 14 starts, overall. The 22-year-old right-hander was originally selected by Houston in the fourth round of the 2014 draft.

Nottingham also started the season at Quad Cities and hit .326 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI in 59 games before being promoted to Lancaster June 29 He hit .324 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 17 games with the JetHawks and is batting a combined .326 with 24 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 76 games. The 20-year-old right-handed hitter was originally selected by Houston in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.

Leon joins the A's for the fourth time this year and is 0-0 with a 4.26 ERA and .321 opponents batting average in six relief appearances over his first three stints. He pitched once during his last stay with the A's from June 12 to 18, tossing a scoreless inning of relief against San Diego June 17. The 26-year-old right-hander is 1-4 with a save and a 3.42 ERA in 15 games, including six starts, with Nashville. Leon appeared exclusively in relief following his June 19 option, going 1-1 with a save and a 2.08 ERA in eight games.