A's acquire IF Jed Lowrie from Houston for RHP Brendan McCurry

The Oakland A's acquired infielder Jed Lowrie from the Houston Astros for minor league right-handed pitcher Brendan McCurry, the club announced today. A corresponding 40-man roster move will be announced later.
 
Lowrie batted .222 with nine home runs and 30 RBI in 69 games with Houston last year. He missed three months of the season with a torn ligament in his right thumb but returned July 30 and hit .194 with five home runs and 20 RBI over his final 51 games. The 31-year-old switch hitter started 45 games at third base and 16 at shortstop. Lowrie spent two seasons with the A's from 2013-14 and batted .290 with 21 home runs and 125 RBI in 290 games. He signed a three-year contract with Houston following the 2014 season and is a .257 career hitter in 712 games in eight seasons.
 
McCurry led the A's farm system with 27 saves last year, tallying 21 and a 1.94 ERA in 36 relief appearances with Single-A Stockton and six with a 1.62 ERA in 14 outings with Double-A Midland. He struck out 82 while walking 17 in 63.0 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is 3-3 with 29 saves and a 1.37 ERA in 67 career appearances in two professional seasons. McCurry was originally selected by the A's in the 22nd round the 2014 draft.