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Hinch sets Astros' rotation with Kazmir in fold

Left-hander to make his home debut on Thursday against Angels

KANSAS CITY -- With newcomer Scott Kazmir up and running, Astros manager A.J. Hinch has set his revised rotation for the immediate future.

After Dallas Keuchel makes his start on Sunday in the finale of the Royals series, Houston will enjoy an off-day on Monday. Then, Hinch plans to go with Collin McHugh on Tuesday and Lance McCullers on Wednesday before Kazmir make his home debut against the Angels on Thursday at Minute Maid Park.

Scott Feldman, who started the middle game of the Kansas City series, will come back on Friday against Arizona on five days' rest.

"We're going to stay in order," Hinch said. "Everybody will get an extra day, which I'm going to do a lot after these off-days coming up. We'll try to get guys extra rest as much as possible."

The current rotation features lefty starters with the top two ERAs in the American League. Keuchel will take a 2.12 ERA into Sunday's start while Kazmir lowered his ERA to 2.24 with seven shutout innings against the Royals on Friday.

In addition, Keuchel (.203) and Kazmir (.208) rank first and third respectively in opponents' batting average.

Worth noting
• Hinch was pleased to hear about switch-hitting infielder Jed Lowrie's performance on Friday in the second game of Lowrie's injury rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi. Lowrie, working his way back from a ligament tear in his right thumb, went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in a start at third base.

"Right-handed [hitting], which is the side of the plate we were most concerned about in adjusting after the injury," Hinch said.

Lowrie was scheduled to play shortstop on Saturday, take Sunday off and play third base again on Monday. He went on the disabled list on April 28.

Robert Falkoff is a contributor to MLB.com.
Read More: Houston Astros, Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Scott Kazmir, Lance McCullers