ATLANTA (AP) Shortstop Erick Aybar has been traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Detroit Tigers for minor league catcher Kade Scivicque.
Aybar gives the Tigers experience at shortstop as Jose Iglesias recovers from a hamstring injury. Aybar is hitting .242 with two homers and 26 RBIs and is making $8.5 million in the final year of his contract.
Atlanta was expected to let Aybar leave as a free agent after the season. Dansby Swanson, the No. 1 overall draft pick of 2015, is likely to start at shortstop next year.
Aybar was acquired on Nov. 12 with minor league pitcher Sean Newcomb as part of the trade that sent Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels.
Aybar, in his 11th big league season, was in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against Minnesota but was removed after taking batting practice and replaced by Chase d’Arnaud took his place.
The Braves also got utility man Mike Aviles in the deal. Aviles, 35, hit .210 with one homer and six RBIs in 68 games with the Tigers.
Scivicque, 23, is hitting .282 with six homers and 41 RBIs in 105 games for Single-A Lakeland. Before acquiring Scivicque, the Braves had no significant catching prospects in their minor league system.
Scivicque was ranked as Detroit’s No. 20 prospect before season by MLB.com.
Detroit recalled outfielder Steven Moya from Triple-A Toledo to take Aviles’ spot on the 25-man roster.
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Associated Press freelance writer Dave Hogg in Detroit contributed to this report.
Aybar traded from Braves to Tigers for minor league catcher
