HOUSTON – The Braves added a needed bench bat Thursday by trading for switch-hitting infielder-outfielder Danny Santana of the Twins.
They traded Triple-A left-hander Kevin Chapman and cash considerations to Minnesota for Santana, 26, a career .266 hitter with 72 extra-base hits, 41 stolen bases and a .300 on-base percentage in 280 games over parts of four major league seasons with Minnesota.
The Braves opened a spot on the 25-man roster by optioning outfielder Lane Adams to Triple-A and created a spot on the 40-man roster by moving utility man Micah Johnson from the 10-day to the 60-day disabled list. Johnson fractured a wrist in spring training.
Chapman, 29, had a 4.09 ERA in 58 relief appearances in parts of four major league seasons with the Astros. He had a 7.71 ERA in nine appearances this season at Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing 14 hits in 11 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and three walks.
There were big expectations for Santana after his rookie year in 2014, when he hit .319 with a .353 OBP, seven triples, seven home runs and 20 stolen bases in 430 plate appearances over 110 games, including 62 starts in center field. He finished seventh in the balloting for American League Rookie of the Year.
But his average fell by more than 100 points the next season in 2015 and he hit .240 with two triples, two homers and a .279 OBP in 75 games (248 plate appearances) in 2016. Santana was on the opening-day roster this year for a third-consecutive season but hit just .200 (5-for-25) with one homer and one stolen base in 13 games and was recently designated for assignment.
Santana has played six different positions in the majors including 114 games in center field and 103 games at shortstop. He’s also got experience at both corner outfield positions, four games at second base and two at third base.
