Orioles trade reliever Brian Matusz to Braves

The Orioles have traded lefthanded reliever Brian Matusz to the Braves.

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The Baltimore Orioles have traded lefthanded reliever Brian Matusz to the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Monday.

In exchange for Matusz and the 76th pick in the 2016 first-year player draft, the Orioles have acquired minor league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien, the Braves will designate Matusz for assignment, as they went through with the deal entirely for the draft pick. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports Atlanta will pay $2.8 million toward Matusz, who was with the team for a matter of minutes.

Matusz, 29, posted a 12.00 ERA in seven appearances for Baltimore this season, his eighth with the club. He entered the 2016 campaign on the heels of his best statistical year to date, as he recorded a 2.94 ERA in 49 innings last season. In his career, Matusz has accumulated a 4.85 ERA with 460 strikeouts and a 1.45 WHIP.

Matusz and Baltimore agreed to a one-year deal in February to avoid arbitration. 

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Matusz​ was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLB draft.