The Atlanta Braves today acquired OF Preston Tucker from the Houston Astros in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. In order to make room on the club's 40-man roster, the Braves designated RHP Luke Jackson for assignment.
Tucker, 27, spent last season with Houston's Triple-A club in Fresno and hit .250 (123-for-492) with 24 home runs and 96 RBI in 128 games. The native of Tampa, Fla., who throws and bats left-handed, compiled a .333 on-base percentage and a .465 slugging percentage while playing both corner outfield positions.
Originally drafted by Houston in the seventh round of the 2012 First-Year Player draft out of the University of Florida, Tucker made his major league debut in 2015 with the Astros. He appeared in 98 games that season, hitting 13 home runs in 300 at-bats. The 6-foot-0, 220-pounder played in 48 contests in 2016 and has compiled a .219 batting average (95-for-434) with 17 home runs at the major league level.
Jackson, 26, appeared in 43 games out of the bullpen for the Braves last season, going 2-0 with a 4.62 ERA (26 ER/50.2 IP).