According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Astros are interested in Ryan Rowland-Smith.

Rowland-Smith was non-tended by the Mariners last week after posting a lousy 6.75 ERA and 49/44 K/BB ratio over 109 innings this past season. He'd probably benefit by switching to the National League, but don't forget that he would also be leaving a pitcher-friendly environment behind.

Mariners non-tendered LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith.

The Australia-born lefty turned in a miserable 6.75 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 109 1/3 innings for the Mariners this year. He wouldn't have commanded a salary of more than $1.2 million, but the M's couldn't justify paying him even that given his lack of recent success. He's now a free agent.

Ryan Rowland-Smith will start the season finale Sunday against the Athletics.

He'll take the place of Felix Hernandez. Rowland-Smith has been limited to bullpen duties since returning from a lower back strain in early September. The Aussie has a bloated 6.90 ERA in 26 appearances (19 starts) this season and should be avoided in all formats.

Mariners activated LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith from the 15-day disabled list.

Rowland-Smith was pretty awful during his extended rehab assignment from a lower back strain, but allowed just one run over seven innings for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday night. He'll pitch out of the bullpen for now, though Mariners interim manager Daren Brown hasn't dismissed the idea that he could be used as a starter eventually.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (back) was hammered for nine hits and five earned runs Saturday in a rehab start at Triple-A Tacoma.

Rowland-Smith has not enjoyed a productive rehab assignment and probably shouldn't be brought back to the major leagues even when his time is up. He was 1-10 with a 6.96 ERA and 1.72 WHIP before the back injury.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (back) allowed 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings Saturday in his first rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma.

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu didn't seem all that concerned about the poor results when he spoke with reporters Saturday night. "He's proven that he can pitch up here, Wakamatsu said, "but we do think in the long term there are some mechanical adjustments that will allow him to be more effective throughout a year and not just in stretches, so we're going to continue." It sounds like the left-hander could be back in the bigs after one or two more rehab outings, even if the numbers don't warrant it.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (back) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Tacoma.

Rowland-Smith was placed on the disabled list just one week ago with a lower back strain. He'll probably spend a few weeks rehabbing because of the poor 6.98 ERA that he's posted in 98 1/3 innings this season.

Mariners placed LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

Rowland-Smith tied a club-record by giving up 11 runs in a loss to the White Sox on Tuesday night and has generally been awful all month, but it looks like he could be been pitching through pain all along. Hyped as a sleeper on draft day, the 27-year-old Aussie has a bloated 6.98 ERA and an underwhelming 39/40 K/BB ratio over 98 1/3 innings this season.

Ryan Rowland-Smith surrendered six runs -- five earned -- in 3 1/3 innings Saturday versus the Angels.

Rowland-Smith was doing OK in his first month back in the rotation, but he's given up nine earned runs in 7 1/3 innings over his last two starts. The Mariners may opt to replace him with Luke French soon.

Ryan Rowland-Smith held the Yankees to two runs over six innings in a no-decision Thursday.

Rowland-Smith has been pretty good in three of his six starts since rejoining Seattle's rotation. His ERA stands at a lofty 5.92, but it's possible he'll be worth using in AL-only leagues at some point during the second half.

Ryan Rowland-Smith hurled six scoreless innings to beat the Reds on Sunday and pick up his first win of the season.

Rowland-Smith allowed just three hits, but he made things interesting with five walks and two hit batters. The results were strong enough for Rowland-Smith to remain in the rotation for at least one more start, but he's still got his back up against the wall.

Ryan Rowland-Smith yielded one run over five innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Saturday.

Rowland-Smith did just fine in place of Doug Fister, holding the Angels to four hits against three walks and three strikeouts. It was only after he left the game did things go south. The Angels combined to score 10 runs off Garrett Olson, Shawn Kelley and Sean White in the sixth and seventh innings. Fister is only expected to miss one start, but Rowland-Smith is a natural choice if it turns out that he requires a lengthier absence.

Ryan Rowland-Smith will make a spot start Saturday with Doug Fister suffering a bout of shoulder fatigue.

Rowland-Smith did not pitch well during his time in the rotation earlier this season, but perhaps he learned something in his time in the bullpen. Fister's injury isn't expected to cost him more than this start, but the Mariners want to be proactive in addressing any shoulder fatigue lest it turn into something more serious.

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said Ryan Rowland-Smith will pitch out of the bullpen, with Ian Snell returning to the starting rotation.

Ryan Rowland-Smith had another ugly outing MOnday, giving up seven runs in 2 2/3 innings against the A's.

This has to be it for Rowland-Smith. We had high hopes coming into the season, but he's been brutal, going 0-4 with a 7.62 ERA. The Mariners could turn back to Ian Snell now, but it's more likely that they'll go get Luke French from Triple-A.

Ryan Rowland-Smith lasted just three innings in a loss to the Orioles on Wednesday night.

Rowland-Smith gave up three earned runs on seven hits in his 3+ innings, but had only thrown 55 pitches. The Mariners didn't give him a chance to work out of it. With a 6.44 ERA and 1.60 WHIP, Rowland-Smith could very well find himself out of the rotation shortly.

Ryan Rowland-Smith was tagged for six runs in 4 1/3 innings by the Rays on Thursday.

A bad outing versus Tampa Bay says little about a pitcher right now, but Rowland-Smith had a very kind schedule in April and still finished the month with a 5.28 ERA and a 9/13 K/BB ratio. He's been a big disappointment, and the Mariners might want to think about replacing him with Luke French.

Ryan Rowland-Smith was removed after allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday versus the Royals.

Another very shaky outing from the left-hander. He'll keep his rotation spot with Cliff Lee returning this week, but he only has so much time left to his act together. He has a 9/13 K/BB ratio in 29 innings.

Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up five runs -- three earned -- during 5 1/3 innings of work against the White Sox on Friday night.

Rowland-Smith struck out none and walked one while taking the no-decision. It's his worst start of the season and it predictable came outside the friendly confines of Safeco Field. He's shown an inability to miss bats and should be deployed carefully in Al-only leagues.

Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched six innings of two-run ball Saturday in a no-decision victory over the Tigers.

It was an efficient outing for Rowland-Smith. He allowed four hits and three walks while striking out three, generally allowing his defense to help him out in spacious Safeco Field. Rowland-Smith now has a 4.50 ERA over his first three starts.