Astros deal Lowrie to A's for Minors pitcher
Hoes reportedly traded to Orioles for cash considerations
The Astros were busy the day before Thanksgiving, trading infielder Jed Lowrie back to the Athletics and outfielder L.J. Hoes to the Orioles.
In exchange for Lowrie, the Astros received Minor League reliever Brendan McCurry from the Athletics. McCurry, a right-hander, had an outstanding season for the Athletics splitting time between Class A Advanced Stockton and Double-A Midland.
In 50 games, McCurry was 1-3 with a 1.86 ERA, 27 saves in 28 chances while allowing 39 hits, 17 walks and striking out 82 in 63 innings. He was a 22nd-round pick out of Oklahoma State in the 2014 Draft.
Lowrie was with the Athletics from 2013-14 as their starting shortstop before signing a three-year deal with the Astros. But he suffered a torn right thumb at the end of April, was supplanted by Carlos Correa as their starting shortstop and never got his job back.
Lowrie ended up playing in 69 games as a utility infielder, including 47 at third base and 17 at shortstop, hitting .222 with nine home runs, 30 RBIs, a .312 on-base percentage and a .400 slugging percentage.
"I'm disappointed to leave Houston," Lowrie said. "I think the Astros are obviously a team headed in the right direction and I enjoyed playing there ... a little disappointment leaving Houston. I signed the three-year deal here thinking I'd be here for those three years, but it's always a possibility to be traded."
Hoes was sent to the Orioles for cash considerations, according to CBS Sports. The Astros originally acquired Hoes from the Orioles at the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31 along with pitcher Josh Hader. Hoes played in 109 games for the Astros over the past three seasons, including eight in 2015, and hit .240 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, a .292 on-base percentage and a .332 slugging percentage.