ATLANTA (WRCB/Braves) -- The Atlanta Braves announced Monday they have traded starting pitcher Derek Lowe and cash considerations to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for a minor league pitcher.
The Braves receive Class A left-hander Chris Jones in the deal, which will reportedly save the club $5 million.
Lowe, 38, went 40-39 with a 4.57 ERA in three seasons (2009 to 2011) with the Braves. Over his 15-year Major League career, Lowe is 166-146 with 85 saves and a 3.49 ERA.
Jones, 23, just completed his first full season with the Indians' Class-A affiliate Kinston Indians going 7-1 with a 3.36 ERA in a career high 43 appearances out of the bullpen. He struck out 66 batters in 72.1 innings pitched, and held left-handed hitters to a .145 (12-for-83) batting average, while striking out 29 batters and walking just 13. In 2011, his ground-ball/fly-ball ratio was 1.51, compared to 1.40 in 2010.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound left-hander was a 15th round selection (467th selection overall) by the Indians in the 2007 June Free Agent draft out of Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla. His professional career began in 2007 with the Gulf Coast League Indians and over five minor league seasons, has gone 22-15 with a 3.47 ERA at three different minor league levels.
Braves pick up club option on Eric Hinske
ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves have picked up their club option on utility player and pinch-hitter Eric Hinske.
The Braves on Monday did not release terms on their 2012 contract for Hinske. The team also confirmed it declined its club option on outfielder Nate McLouth.
The 34-year-old Hinske hit .233 with 10 homers and 28 RBIs in 236 at-bats this season while playing left field, right field and first base. He has five pinch-hit home runs in two seasons with the Braves.
Hinske, the AL rookie of the year with Toronto in 2002, has a .252 career batting average with 134 homers.
McLouth hit .228 last season and was not part of the team's plans in center field after the midseason trade for Michael Bourn.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
