The Arizona Diamondbacks traded pitcher Trevor Cahill and cash to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night for minor league outfielder Josh Elander, according to multiple reports.
The move will save the Diamondbacks more than $5 million in salary, and it opens a spot in the rotation for top prospect Archie Bradley, who has a 1.61 ERA this spring in 22 1/3 innings.
Arizona will include $6.5 million in the deal to help the Braves with Cahill’s $12 million salary in 2015.
Cahill’s five-year, $35 million deal, signed with the Oakland A’s in April 2011, runs through this year, though it includes club options for 2016 ($13 million with a $300,000 buyout) and 2017 ($13.5 million with a $500,000 buyout).
Cahill, 27, struggled after coming to the Diamondbacks from Oakland in 2011. In three seasons with Arizona, he had a 24-34 record with a 4.29 ERA in 90 games, including 74 starts.
Cahill’s career record is 64-69 with a 4.07 ERA in six seasons. Last year, he finished 3-12 with one save and a 5.61 ERA in 32 appearances (17 starts).
In 10 innings this spring, Cahill posted a 3.60 ERA. With the Braves, he could be a candidate for a spot at the back end of the rotation.
Elander, 24, has a .275 batting average through three seasons in the low minor leagues.