The Braves swapped two pitchers for two catchers in a Friday trade with the Rockies.
The Braves sent David Hale and Gus Schlosser to the Rockies for prospects Jose Briceno and Chris O’Dowd.
The Braves also announced the signing of outfielder Jonny Gomes. The trade of Hale opens a spot on the 40-man roster for Gomes.
Hale, a 27-year-old from Marietta, spent his first full season in the majors last season. He was 4-5 with a 3.30 ERA in 45 appearances (six of them starts). He made a splash at the outset with the Braves, striking out nine batters in his major league debut, Sept. 13, 2013 against the Padres.
Briceno, 22, has hit .283 in five minor league seasons, and he hit 12 homers to go with 50 RBIs in 84 games at Single-A Asheville last year. He can hit, catch and throw, with the potential to provide power. He threw out 35 of 80 base runners last season (43.8 percent) and 111 of 266 in his career (41.7 percent).
O’Dowd, 24, split the 2014 season between High-A Modesto and Double-A Tulsa, combining to hit .271 (114-for-421) with 27 doubles, five homers and 48 RBI in 113 games last season, when he split his time between high Single-A Modesto and Double-A Tulsa. O’Dowd, the son of former Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd, will be a spring non-roster invitee.
About the Author
