Braves Trade For Ex-Yankees Hurler To Bolster Bullpen Depth For Playoff Run
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The Atlanta Braves acquired some organizational depth in the form of a quality right-handed veteran -- a player whose only big-league experience came with the New York Yankees.
The Braves traded cash to the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Ben Heller on Tuesday, according to the Major League Baseball transaction log.
The move had multiple Yankees ties, as the Braves designated outfielder Nick Solak for assignment as the corresponding move. Solak was drafted by New York in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Heller was a valuable member of the Yankees' bullpen but struggled to stay healthy. The 31-year-old hurler posted a 2.59 ERA with a 30-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .231 batting average against and 1.34 WHIP in 31 1/3 innings spanning from 2016 through 2020.
The longtime veteran arm has racked up some impressive minor-league stats across his career -- 2.97 ERA in 233 games -- but has yet to find a permanent big-league opportunity, mostly due to his long injury history.
The Braves would likely have to sustain an injury or two before giving Heller a chance as they've already sent him to Triple-A Gwinnett. That said, the veteran is more than deserving of a shot given his impressive stats, both at the MLB and MiLB levels.
Read more from Inside the Pinstripes:
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- Former Yankees Outfielder Signs With AL Contender
- White Sox Reportedly Shopping Ace, Yankees Should be Interested
- Yankees Place Bader Back on IL
- Ex-MLB Manager Believes Big Changes are Coming for Yankees
