The Atlanta Braves shored up their bullpen and acquired a much-needed right handed reliever Monday when they traded Minor League right-handed pitcher Cory Rasmus to the Los Angeles Angels for veteran reliever Scott Downs.
Downs, 37, has appeared in 43 games for the Angels this season and has put together a 1.84 ERA while only giving up six earned runs. He's amounted 22 strikeouts while walking 11 batters.
Downs is in the final year of a three-year contract and is owed $1.6 million. Downs has been pitching in the Major League since 2000 and is looking to help the Braves bullpen down the stretch run of the season. The addition of Downs will allow the Braves to give some of their other relievers, such as Luis Avilan and Jordan Walden some much-needed rest as the team gears up for the final two months of the season.
Atlanta is 60-45, good enough for first place in the National League East and holds an 8.5 game lead over the second-place Washington Nationals. Meanwhile, the Angels sit 13 games out and are in fourth place in the American League West with a 48-55 overall record.
Rasmus, who played at Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Monday's trade, has compiled a 1.37 ERA in 37 relief outings.
The MLB trade deadline is on Wednesday and while the Braves have gained some help for their bullpen, they are expected to make some more moves. Atlanta is reportedly in the market for a starting pitcher as they lost Tim Hudson to a season-ending ankle fracture last week, and they may try to strike a deal for a starter, such as Jake Peavy or Ervin Santana before the deadline.
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