Braves acquire Brian Matusz, draft pick in 3-player trade with Orioles

The Braves acquired left-hander Brian Matusz and a competitive balance draft pick (no. 76 overall) from the Orioles for minor-league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek, according to a club announcement. MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko was first to report that Matusz had been traded.

Atlanta immediately designated Matusz for assignment, meaning he will likely find his way to another organization within the next couple of weeks. The Braves will pay the remainder of his $3.9 million salary for this season (about $3 million), meaning they essentially took on the money and sent two prospects to Baltimore in exchange for the 76th overall pick in next month's draft.

The Braves have been looking to trade for draft picks all season, and now own five of the top 80 picks in this year's draft (Nos. 3, 40, 44, 76, and 80). Atlanta is in the midst of a complete rebuild, and is expected to trade veteran pieces in advance of the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline.

Matusz, 29, has spent his entire 8-year major-league career with Baltimore, posting a lifetime 27-41 record and 4.85 ERA in 279 appearances (68 starts). He has surrendered eight earned runs in six innings this season, and may look to catch on with a new team via a minor-league contract once his 10-day DFA period is over.

Barker, a 23-year old right-hander, was Atlanta's 16th-round pick in the 2014 draft. He has posted an excellent 2.00 ERA in 45 innings as a starter for Double-A Mississippi and will provide organizational depth for Baltimore.

Belicek, a 23-year old lefty reliever, was the Braves' 16th-round pick in last year's draft. He has split his season between Single-A Rome and Double-A Mississippi, posting a 2.86 ERA in 28.1 relief innings.

Neither Barker or Belicek ranked within MLB.com's ranking of the top 30 prospects in the Braves' system, though they may rank in the low levels of the Orioles' top 30.