Detroit Tigers could consider trade involving Houston Astros ... - MLive.com

AP PhotoHouston Astros Jed Lowrie after his home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers on June 16 in Arlington, Texas.

ARLINGTON -- The Detroit Tigers aren’t expected to make a decision as to whether they'll need to address their team until they learn the fate of Victor Martinez later this week.

But that hasn’t stopped the club from checking out the trade market.

The Tigers have already expressed reported interest in right-hander Matt Garza, and according to The Boston Globe, the club could consider Houston’s Jed Lowrie, too.

Lowrie, who is making a reasonable $1.15 million this year, is batting .267 this season with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs in 64 games for the Astros.

A career .256 hitter, Lowrie could be on the Philadelphia Phillies’ radar, too.

Martinez is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left knee Thursday, which could determine whether the designated hitter would be able to return later this season.

His status will likely sway the club’s decision as to whether the Tigers will need to address their offense before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

If the Tigers were to trade for Lowrie, it’s believed he would shift from shortstop to second base -- a position he’s fielded in 31 games over his five-year career.

It’s clear the Tigers have a glaring weakness at second base as their second basemen have combined to bat .201 with only 11 extra-base hits.

That said, the left-handed hitting Lowrie certainly wouldn’t provide solution to the understaffed right-handed hitting Tigers. It’s also unclear what the Astros would seek in return for Lowrie, who is eligible for arbitration the next two years.

Lowrie is among a select few of infielders that are expected to be listed on the trade block in the upcoming weeks. He joins Houston second baseman Jose Altuve and Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney as potential infielder trade candidates.

Kelly Johnson of the Blue Jays, Marco Scutaro of the Rockies and former Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco of the Phillies could find themselves on the trade block, too.

-- Follow James Schmehl on Twitter: @jamesschmehl.