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Pirates, Astros Make First Moves of MLB Trade Deadline

>>Pirates Acquire 3B Aramis Ramirez From Brewers

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired infielder Aramis Ramirez and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in exchange for minor league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios.

Injuries to third baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer opened up a need for Ramirez, who hit .247 with 18 doubles, 11 home runs and 42 RBI in 81 games with the Brewers this season.

The 37-year-old Ramirez was originally signed by the Pirates as a non-drafted free agent in 1994 and made his MLB debut with Pittsburgh four years later.

 width=He spent nearly six seasons with Pittsburgh before being traded to the Cubs alongside Kenny Lofton in 2003. Ramirez signed as a free agent with the Brewers prior to the 2012 season.

The three-time All-Star has hit .284 with 482 doubles, 380 home runs and 1,384 RBI in 2,138 games in the big leagues.

The Pirates will make a corresponding move on the 25-man active roster when Ramirez joins the team. To make room for Ramirez on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated Steve Lombardozzi for assignment.

>>Astros Acquire Kazmir From A's

The Houston Astros have acquired left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league pitcher Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham.

The Astros, who enter Thursday's action with a 53-43 mark, sit in second place in the American League West, two games behind the division-leading Angels. They became the first playoff contending team to make a move to bolster their rotation before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Kazmir gives the team a top-line starter to go along with Dallas Keuchel.

Kazmir is just 5-5, but has an impressive 2.38 ERA in 18 starts this season for the disappointing Athletics. He has 101 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings and ranks fifth in the AL in ERA. Keuchel is tops in the AL with a 2.12 ERA.

He was scheduled to start against Toronto on Thursday for Oakland, which recalled pitcher Arnold Leon to take his roster spot.

Most recently, Mengden and Nottingham had been playing for Class-A Advanced Lancaster after each began the 2015 season at Class-A Quad Cities. Mengden was originally a fourth-round selection in the 2014 draft, while Nottingham was originally taken in the sixth round of the 2013 draft.

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