Braves and Angels Announce Two-Player Trade

The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels announced today that the two clubs have completed a two-player trade. The Braves have acquired left-handed pitcher Scott Downs from the Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cory Rasmus.

Downs, 37, owns a career record of 36-35 with a 3.47 ERA over 12 major league seasons, including 2-3 with a 1.84 ERA over 43 relief appearances this season. Downs made 29 consecutive scoreless appearances (May 5-July 23) this season while notching 13 holds and holding opponents to a .183 clip during that stretch. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-hander owns an 0.98 ERA (2 ER/18.1 IP) since May 5. Since the start of the 2008 season, the Kentucky native ranks fourth among all major league relievers with a 2.28 ERA (minimum 200.0 IP). Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of the 1997 June free agent draft out of the University of Kentucky, Downs has played with the Cubs, Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays and the Angels.

Rasmus, currently with Triple-A Gwinnett, was selected by the Braves in the supplemental round (38th overall) of the 2006 June free agent draft. He made his major league debut earlier this season and owns a 17-22 record with a 3.61 ERA in 143 games (35 starts) over seven minor league seasons.