Atlanta Braves

Braves add another draft pick in three-player deal with Orioles

Published May. 23, 2016 8:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Braves added to their bevy of picks in this this year's draft as part of a three-player deal with the Orioles.

Atlanta received left-handed pitcher Brian Matusz from the Orioles on Monday, along with competitive balance pick No. 76, in exchange for minor league arms Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek. The Braves then designated Matusz for assignment.

An eight-year veteran, and the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft, Matusz had spent his entire career with Baltimore. The 29-year-old has had his troubles this season, appearing in seven games with a 12.00 ERA in six innings with one strikeout and seven walks. In his last outing on May 17 against the Mariners, he gave up five hits and four earned runs in 1 2/3.

This deal was about bolstering the franchise's presence in the draft, where Atlanta will have five of the first 80 picks, owning Nos. 3, 40, 44, 76 and 80.

In order to add that latest selection they took on Matusz's $3.9 million salary and parted with Barker -- a 23-year-old with a 2.00 ERA in nine games for Double-A Mississippi -- and Belicek -- another 23-year-old who was a combined 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in 12 games at Single-A Rome and Mississippi.

Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney and Facebook. His book, 'Tales from the Atlanta Braves Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Braves Stories Ever Told,' is out now, and 'The Heisman Trophy: The Story of an American Icon and Its Winners' will be released Nov. 1, 2016.