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Tigers acquire Aybar from Braves for Aviles, prospect

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Detroit Tigers have acquired shortstop Erick Aybar from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for utility player Mike Aviles and catching prospect Kade Scivicque, the teams announced Tuesday.

With Detroit still waiting for starter Jose Iglesias to return from the disabled list, Aybar will likely slot in as the starting shortstop until Iglesias is ready to return. At that point, Aybar could shift into a backup role.

Aybar is in the midst of a career-worst season at the plate, sporting a .607 OPS with just two homers, 81 hits, and three stolen bases for the league-worst Braves.

The 32-year-old is on pace to finish the season with less than 10 stolen bases for the first time 2008. The former Gold Glove winner's fielding has also declined, as he's accumulated a career-worst minus-2.8 defensive WAR this year.

Aviles, a natural infielder, has played six different positions this season, and has primarily worked in right field. The 35-year-old owns a .528 OPS in 68 games with the Tigers this year. He's a career .262/.295/.378 hitter over nine seasons with four teams.

Scivicque, the Tigers' No. 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, owns a .282/.325/.380 line with six homers at Single-A Lakeland.

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