Rays trade Schimpf to Braves
After being designated for assignment last week, the Tampa Bay Rays have traded infielder Ryan Schimpf to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named later or cash considerations, the team announced Monday.
The 29-year-old Schimpf was acquired by the Rays earlier in the offseason from the San Diego Padres. In order to make room on the roster, the Braves outrighted Josh Ravin to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Schimpf had a breakout campaign in 2016 primarily playing second base with the Padres. In 89 games, Schimpf managed a .217/.336/.533 slash line, hitting 30 percent better than the league average in 330 plate appearances, according to wRC+.
Opening the 2017 season with the Padres, Schimpf struggled with a .158 batting average and .284 on-base percentage and was sent down to Triple-A El Paso despite hitting 14 home runs in his first 53 games.
The left-handed hitting Schimpf will likely become a bench option behind 24-year-old switch-hitting third baseman Johan Camargo.