DETROIT -- The Rays acquired Trevor Plouffe from the Athletics for cash considerations on Saturday. Pitcher Matt Andriese was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Plouffe on the roster.
"I think our struggles against left-handed pitching have been noted," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, whose team is batting .227 against lefties. "I like that we've gone out and tried to do something. I know Trevor is a proven player, a veteran guy. He got out to a slow start in Oakland. Hopefully a different scene will kind of rebound him a little bit."
Plouffe, 31, is batting .214 in 58 games for Oakland this season, but with a .294 average against left-handers. The former 20th-overall pick in the 2004 Draft is in his eighth season after playing for the Twins from 2010-16. He hit 22 homers in 2015, and owns a .269 career average (141-for-525) against Tampa Bay's American League East opponents.
The veteran has primarily played third base during his career, after beginning his career as a middle infielder. Cash said Plouffe will mostly see time at first and third, particularly to give Logan Morrison and Evan Longoria opportunities to rest. There's ample room for Plouffe in the corner infield while third baseman Matt Duffy (60-day disabled list) and first baseman Rickie Weeks Jr. (10-day DL) recover from injuries. Playing other positions isn't out of the question for Plouffe, either.
"I think it's fair that we'll explore some other things," Cash said. "Potentially see how he feels in the outfield."
Oakland signed Plouffe to a one-year, $5.25 million contract in January. He will be a free agent at the end of the season. Cash said he expects Plouffe to join the team Monday, when the Rays head home to start a three-game series against the Reds.