A’s trade Kazmir to Astros for two minor leaguers

Scott Kazmir is heading to his hometown Houston Astros and into the thick of a pennant race, and the Oakland Athletics are starting their summer sell-off.

The A’s began their expected changes leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, sending the left-hander to the Astros for a pair of minor leaguers Thursday in what could be the first of many significant deals across the majors in the next week.

Oakland received sought-after catcher Jacob Nottingham and right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden in the swap with its AL West rival — and the Astros got a top-tier starter as they chase a playoff berth in the season’s second half. Houston hasn’t been to the playoffs since being swept in the 2005 World Series by the Chicago White Sox when the Astros were still in the National League.

Even with all the trade talk surrounding him, the news caught the 31-year-old Kazmir by surprise. He was scheduled to start Thursday against Toronto and woke up preparing to play at least one more game in green and gold.

Instead, Kazmir got a phone call from A’s general manager Billy Beane and manager Bob Melvin informing he had been traded. He packed up his belongings in the A’s clubhouse while getting hugs and handshakes from teammates. “It felt like it just hit me at once. It’s going to take some time to sink some stuff in,” Kazmir said.

Kazmir is expected to join the Astros in Kansas City today. He went 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA in 18 starts for Oakland.

Drew Pomeranz started in Kazmir’s place against Toronto, and Oakland recalled righthander Arnold Leon from Triple-A Nashville to take Kazmir’s roster spot.