Orioles trade Matusz to Braves for minor leaguers

The Baltimore Orioles have traded left-hander Brian Matusz and a competitive balance pick in the 2016 draft to the Atlanta Braves for minor-league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek.

Matusz was then designated for assignment by the Braves, which means the swap was made by Atlanta to solely acquire the draft pick (76th overall).

Atlanta will also assume all of the remaining salary left on Matusz's contract, which is around $3 million, Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Matusz, a former fourth overall draft choice in the 2008 draft, hasn't exactly lived up to the expectations of the selection during his time with Baltimore.

Across eight seasons with the Orioles, the 29-year-old owns a 27-41 record with an ERA of 4.85 during 279 appearances, 68 of which have been starts.

Barker, 23, was a 16th-round pick of the Braves in 2014, and is currently pitching at Double-A Mississippi. The right-hander owns a 2.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP across nine appearances, eight of which are starts.

Belicek, also a 23-year-old former 16th-round draft choice of the Braves, is currently pitching at Double-A Mississippi. The left-hander was recently promoted to Double-A after a successful stint at Single-A, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.49 ERA in 11 games.