Athletics send LHP Travis Blackley to Astros in trade

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics have traded lefty Travis Blackley to the Houston Astros for minor league outfielder Jake Goebbert. The A's

Travis Blackley went 6-4 for the Athletics last season, but was designated for assignment this spring :: Charlie Riedel/AP

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics have traded lefty Travis Blackley to the Houston Astros for minor league outfielder Jake Goebbert.

The A's announced the deal Thursday before heading to Houston to begin a three-game series with the Astros. Blackley is expected to be on the Astros' roster for the series beginning Friday.

Blackley went 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 games for Oakland last season. He was designated for assignment last Friday after posting a 14.21 ERA in spring training.

Goebbert is a .285 career hitter with 31 homers and 237 RBIs in 456 games over four seasons in the minors.

Earlier in the day, A's right-hander Josh Stinson was claimed off waivers by Baltimore and first baseman Daric Barton cleared waivers. Barton has been outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento.