PHILADELPHIA, July 29 (UPI) -- Pitcher Roy Oswalt was traded to Philadelphia from the Houston Astros Thursday and will start for the Phillies Friday.

Oswalt was sent to the Phillies in exchange for pitcher J.A. Happ and prospects Anthony Gose, an outfielder, and Jonathan Villar, an infielder. Houston will also receive cash considerations.

Oswalt, a 32-year-old right-hander, has played his entire 10-season career with the Astros and is one victory short of the franchise record for wins. That mark is held by Joe Niekro, who won 144 games for Houston.

Oswalt is 6-12 this year with a 3.42 earned run average, but a lack of run support has hurt his record. The Astros scored just two runs each of his last two outings.

The acquisition strengthens the Phillies' already impressive starting rotation. Oswalt will join front-line pitchers Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels.

He is also going from a team that is 42-59 and next to last in the National League Central to the Phillies who are 55-46 and 3 1/2 games back of division-leading Atlanta in the NL East. Philadelphia has played in the last two World Series.

The Phillies said Oswalt will get the start Friday when they play the Nationals in Washington.