Kazmir allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over seven innings in a no decision Monday against Texas. He struck out four.

Kazmir was sharp and efficient Monday, as he induced 10 swinging strikes and needed just 93 pitches to get through seven innings. The start was Kazmir's first quality start since August 28 and just his third in his past eight starts. It was refreshing to see Kazmir turn in quality work with a low pitch count, as he had thrown at least 97 pitches in each of his last seven starts but made it past the sixth inning just once. His ERA is steady at 2.63.

Kazmir scuffled through 4.1 innings Thursday against the Mariners, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out five.

He avoided the loss despite the team losing, but this was Kazmir's shortest outing since coming over to the Astros prior to the trade deadline. He hasn't been able to do much winning in a Houston uniform, having lost four of his last five decisions, but Kazmir's broadly been more or less the same pitcher that he was in Oakland. He should bounce back against his old A's teammates on Tuesday.

Kazmir (7-9) was solid in a losing effort on Friday, striking out six batters across seven innings while allowing three runs on three hits and a walk in a 3-0 loss to the Twins.

Kazmir pitched very well in this matchup against the lefty-killing Twins and was unfortunate to allow three runs. Two of the runs that came in were on hit batters and the other one on a solo homer by Eduardo Nunuz. Since being acquired, Kazmir has had one bad start and six good starts and it looks like the Astros made yet another successful deal. His 2.45 ERA should garner him some AL Cy Young votes, but it will be tough for him to maintain that in hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park. His next start wont come until next Saturday against these same Twins.

Kazmir will start Friday's game against the Twins, MLB.com reports.

It was initially believed Mike Fiers would be taking the hill Friday, but the Astros announced it will actually be Kazmir. Fiers will pitch Saturday with Lance McCullers following on Sunday.

Houston Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir will start Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com.

Houston Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir will start Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com. Kazmir was initially scheduled to start Saturday's game, but he will switch places in the rotation with Mike Fiers.

Kazmir earned his seventh win of the season Saturday against the Dodgers, allowing just one run with eight strikeouts and one walk in six innings.

The lefty bounced back nicely after surrendering six runs in his previous start allowing just two men past first base and striking out more batters than he had in over two months. Kazmir's ERA now sits at a sterling 2.39 on the season and he will look to keep it rolling Saturday against the Twins.

Kazmir (6-8) allowed six runs on nine hits and three walks with six strikeouts over 5.1 innings during Monday's 8-2 loss to the Rays.

Prior to Monday's loss, Kazmir had only allowed three earned runs over his previous four starts with the Astros. He's dropped three straight decisions with his new club, failing to escape the sixth inning in each start. Kazmir will carry a 2.43 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Kazmir fell to 6-7 with a loss Tuesday to San Francisco, as he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Kazmir was far from sharp, as he needed 106 pitches to make it through 5.2 innings and served up a pair of home runs to Brandon Belt. Kazmir still has given up just 10 home runs in 22 starts (0.7 HR/9). His ERA remains pristine at 2.12, and his 3.35 FIP is still better than the league average. That this was one of Kazmir's worse starts in recent memory -- he last gave up more than one earned run on June 27 -- speaks to how great his season has been.

Kazmir (6-6) surrendered four runs -- one earned -- on six hits and two walks while striking out five in 5.2 innings Wednesday against the Rangers.

Kazmir, in his third start for Houston since a July 23 trade from Oakland, lowered his AL-best ERA from 2.10 to 2.08 since only one run against him was earned. He had thrown 14.2 scoreless innings in his first two starts for Houston, part of his games in July while allowing one earned run over 34 innings (0.26 ERA). Earlier this season for the A's, Kazmir gave up only three runs over 21 innings in three starts against the Rangers.

Kazmir allowed three hits and three walks while striking out five in 7.2 scoreless innings against the Angels on Thursday.

In the first start for the Astros in his hometown and his second since a trade from the Oakland Athletics, Kazmir dazzled yet again, though he didn't factor in the decision. In his first two starts for Houston, Kazmir has thrown 14.2 scoreless innings and allowed just six hits. He's allowed only one earned run this month to give him a major-league leading 0.26 ERA in July, and he'll look to build on his successful stretch in his next scheduled start Tuesday at Texas.

Kazmir tossed seven shutout innings in his Astros' debut as Houston defeated the Royals 4-0 Friday night. He allowed three hits, walking one and struck out three.

Just acquired from Oakland the day before, Kazmir (6-5, 2.24 ERA) paid immediate dividends for the division-leading Astros. He needed just 91 pitches (60 for strikes) to cover the seven innings as he coasted to a very impressive win. He loses the benefit of pitching in the Coliseum, but the Astros should provide him with a bit better run support, and he will face the same competition as he remains in the Western Division of the American League.

Kazmir will make his debut for the Astros on Friday against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will shuffle their rotation a bit in the wake of Thursday's trade, throwing Kazmir on Friday followed by Scott Feldman on Saturday and Dallas Keuchel on Sunday. Kazmir last pitched for Oakland on Saturday against the Twins.

Kazmir was traded to the Astros on Thursday.

Kazmir will now take the hill for a contender, as the Astros sit atop the AL Wild Card standings at the time of this deal. He'll remain in the AL West, so the overall rest-of-season outlook won't change drastically, except for the fact that he may be in line to pick up an extra win or two. The 31-year-old currently boasts one of the best ERAs of his career (2.38), but a 3.51 xFIP suggests it should trend closer to his career average as the season progresses. It's unclear at the moment how Oakland will handle the rotation shuffle, but Drew Pomeranz is one potential candidate to rejoin as a back-end starter. Kazmir can immediately be slotted in as a middle-rotation starter in Houston, which may allow the team to conserve the innings of the 23-year-old Vincent Velasquez.

The Oakland Athletics traded pitcher Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros on Thursday.,

The Oakland Athletics traded pitcher Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros on Thursday. The Athletics acquired prospects Jacob Nottingham and Daniel Mengden in exchange for Kazmir, who has posted a 2.38 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 109.2 innings this season. The 31-year-old will instantly slot into the middle of the Houston rotation and will bring a veteran presence to a youthful starting rotation that features several young pitchers. Kazmir recently had a bout with tendinitis in his left triceps, which caused potential buyers to take notice. But the Astros were in need of pitching help to continue their pursuit of the first-place Los Angeles Angels, who currently sit two games ahead. The lefty was scheduled to make his next start for Oakland on Thursday, so he could make his Astros debut sometime over the weekend. Kazmir, a Houston native, will be a free agent after this season.

Kazmir (triceps) has been confirmed as Saturday's starting pitcher against Minnesota.

Triceps tightness cut short Kazmir's final start of the first half, but he complete a 50-pitch bullpen session last week and the A's have not suggested he will be limited in any significant way against the Twins. Kazmir was knocked around for six runs over six innings in his lone start against Minnesota earlier this season.

Kazmir (triceps) is lined up to start Saturday's game against the Twins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday before the All-Star break, while the days off this week appear to have been enough for him to regain his health. A free agent after the 2015 season, Kazmir is the subject of trade rumors as the A's may be able to get a piece more useful to their future if they decide to part with him leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Oakland A's pitcher Scott Kazmir is on track to start Saturday against the Minnesota Twins after recovering from a triceps injury, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland A's pitcher Scott Kazmir is on track to start Saturday against the Minnesota Twins after recovering from a triceps injury, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Kazmir was cleared after throwing a 50-pitch bullpen session Saturday.

Kazmir (triceps) said he felt great after Saturday's 50-pitch bullpen session, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

Kazmir was removed from Wednesday's start due to tightness in his triceps, but he already seems to be on something close to his normal throwing schedule. He'll likely be ready for his first start after the All-Star break, and he's still one of the better pitchers being discussed as a potential trade chip. Mid-season trades usually improve a pitcher's team context, but the A's have been a pretty good offensive club this season, and their ballpark is among the friendliest to pitchers. Kazmir will probably have the support of a better bullpen if he's traded, but there are still only a few teams that can provide a better overall environment for fantasy production.

Kazmir (triceps) was feeling much better and will have light throwing session Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

He was pulled from Wednesday's start with tightness in his left triceps after only throwing 50 pitches. Kazmir is a big-time trade chip if proven healthy, and hopefully the All-Star break will give him enough time to get right so that he can avoid a DL stint. Sean Nolin would be a candidate to join the rotation if Kazmir has to miss his next start.

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir will have a light throwing session Thursday after leaving Wednesday's start with tightness in his triceps, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir will have a light throwing session Thursday after leaving Wednesday's start with tightness in his triceps, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Kazmir was limited to just 50 pitches before being lifted from Wednesday's game, but the fact that he is feeling well enough to throw just a day later bodes well for his chances of avoiding a stint on the disabled list, especially with the All-Star break approaching.