The first thing that went through Ethan Pecko’s mind when he was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land at Round Rock was that he had been traded.

The Astros make this decision at an opportune time, as they are in a tight battle in the AL West Division race and still have a chance at a first-round bye in the playoffs. MORE:

The Astros are expected to promote Ethan Pecko for his MLB debut, making him Houston’s 17th starting pitcher this season.