Athletics acquire Jed Lowrie from Astros

The Athletics have re-acquired infielder Jed Lowrie in a trade with the Astros in exchange for right-handed reliever Brendan McCurry, as first reported by Jane Lee of MLB.com. The trade has been announced by both clubs.

Lowrie, 31, appeared in only 69 games in an injury-ridden season for Houston last year, hitting .222/.312/.400 with nine home runs after signing a 3-year, $23 million contract two winters ago. He previously spent two seasons with Oakland, posting a .271/.334/.405 line while slugging 21 homers in 290 games.

Lowrie has the ability to play second base, shortstop and third base, giving Oakland some depth behind Danny Valencia, Marcus Semien and Brett Lawrie at those positions. Valencia will likely see the bulk of time at third against lefties, but Lowrie could get at-bats against right-handers.

In eight major-league seasons with the Red Sox (2008-11), Astros (2012, 2015) and Athletics (2013-14), Lowrie is the owner of a lifetime .257/.328/.410 line with 65 home runs and 314 RBI. Oakland will pick up the entirety of his remaining contract, paying a guaranteed $15 million and holding a $6 million option for 2018.

McCurry, 23, was Oakland's 22nd-round pick in the 2014 draft out of Oklahoma State and was ranked by MLB.com as the organization's 30th-best prospect before the trade. The 5-foot-10 reliever posted a stellar 1.86 ERA in 63 innings split between High-A Stockton and Double-A Midland in 2015.