Astros Acquire McCurry from A's in Exchange for Lowrie
Right-handed reliever posted 1.86 ERA with 27 saves in 2015
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Brendan McCurry from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for infielder Jed Lowrie. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.
McCurry, 23, had outstanding numbers at two levels in the A's minor league system in 2015. In 50 combined relief appearances at Double A Midland (14g) and Class A Stockton (36g), he posted a 1.86 ERA (13ER/63IP) with 27 saves in 28 chances while tallying 82 strikeouts and 17 walks in his 63.0 innings of work. McCurry allowed just 39 hits for a .175 opponent batting average (0.89 WHIP).
In his two career minor league seasons combined, McCurry has a 1.37 ERA in 67 relief appearances (14ER/91.2IP) with 29 saves in 30 chances, 20 walks and 119 strikeouts. McCurry was selected by Oakland in the 23rd round of the 2014 MLB First Year Player Draft after starring at Oklahoma State University.
Lowrie, 31, hit .222 (51x230) in 69 games for the Astros in 2015 with nine home runs and 30 RBI. He saw limited action due to a lengthy stint on the Disabled List after suffering a torn ligament in his right thumb. Lowrie, who was signed by the Astros as a free agent prior to last season, made 47 starts at third base and 17 starts at shortstop for Houston. He has appeared in 712 games in his Major League career, which includes stints in Boston (2008-11), Houston (2012, 2015) and Oakland (2013-14).
-ASTROS-