The Arizona Diamondbacks were dealing from a position of strength when they sent Ender Inciarte to the Braves as part of a five-player December trade for starting pitcher Shelby Miller.
The Diamondbacks had Inciarte and All-Star A.J. Pollock in the outfield and both hit over .300 last season and were capable of being standout center fielders, too.
So they dealt Inciarte to the Braves and picked up Miller for their rotation.
The Braves will be happy to have Inciarte in center, and batting leadoff, for their season opener Monday, but the Diamondbacks could really use him now too.
Pollock fractured his right elbow in a head-first slide into home plate Friday during an exhibition game.
He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and will undergo surgery in the next few days.
Neither he nor the Diamondbacks put a timetable on his return but Pollock expects to be out long enough that he felt a need to stress he's hoping to return this season.
The 25-year-old Inciarte, meanwhile, hit .327 in spring training for the Braves.
He also brings speed to the Braves. Inciarte had 21 stolen bases for Arizona last season.
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