The Braves dumped a burdensome contract Thursday by trading veteran right-handed reliever Jim Johnson to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for minor league lefty Justin Kelly.

Johnson, 34, lost the closer job last summer and was owed $5 million in 2018 in the second year of a two-year, $10 million contract. He blew nine of 31 save opportunities last season and had a 5.56 ERA in 61 appearances.

Kelly, 24, was 6-4 with a 3.543 ERA in 25 games (six starts) at five levels for the Angels last season. He was a 33rd-round draft pick out of the University of Californa-Santa Barbara in 2016.

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Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates his grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

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