A’s acquire Lowrie from Astros for minor league reliever

OAKLAND, Calif. — Infielder Jed Lowrie was acquired by the Oakland Athletics from the Houston Astros for minor league right-hander Brendan McCurry. The 31-year-old Lowrie hit .222 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in 69 games for Houston this year, starting 45 at third and 16 at shortstop. He was sidelined for more than three months by a torn ligament in his right thumb. As a free agent last December, Lowrie agreed to a $23 million, three-year contract with the Astros that called for salaries of $8 million in 2015, $7.5 million in 2016 and $6.5 million in 2017. There is a $6 million club option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. Lowrie has a .257 career average with 65 homers and 314 RBIs. The 23-year-old McCurry was 3-3 with a 1.37 ERA and 29 saves this year with Class A Stockton and Double-A Midland, striking out 82 and walking 17 in 63 innings. The trade was announced Wednesday.