CSN Bay Area

Programming note: Blue Jays-A's coverage starts today at 12:30 on CSN California.

The first domino fell Thursday, as the A's traded left-hander Scott Kazmir to the Houston Astros for two minor leaguers.

Kazmir, originally scheduled to start Thursday against Toronto, instead said goodbye to his teammates.

The A's received 22-year-old right-hander Daniel Mengden and 20-year-old catcher Jacob Nottingham, who were both playing at Single-A for Lancaster. Nottingham was rated the Astros' No. 9 prospect by Baseball America in the most recent rankings.

With Kazmir dealt, the focus now shifts to whether the A's will deal other veterans attracting interest before the July 31 trade deadline, with Ben Zobrist the most obvious candidate based on interest in him. 

[STIGLICH: Might Beane, A's set trade wheels in motion?]

Drew Pomeranz will start today in place of Kazmir.

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.

A's media services contributed to this report