The Atlanta Braves acquired left-handed reliever Lucas Luetge from the New York Yankees in exchange for minor-league right-hander Indigo Diaz and infield prospect Caleb Durbin, the teams announced.
New York designated Luetge for assignment last week after signing Tommy Kahnle.
The 35-year-old spent six years between major-league appearances before making the Yankees out of spring training in 2021 and establishing himself as a solid reliever. Over 107 total outings with New York in the last two years, Luetge posted a 2.71 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP with 138 strikeouts. He’s particularly succeeded against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .587 OPS during his career.
Luetge adds another depth arm to a Braves bullpen that already features left-handers A.J. Minter and Dylan Lee. While he doesn’t have any minor-league options left, Luetge is entering his second year of arbitration and projects to earn $1.7 million next year, per MLB Trade Rumors.
Diaz, 24, posted a 3.08 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings over 49 relief appearances at Double-A Mississippi last season. The British Columbia native was ranked as the Braves’ No. 23 prospect prior to the trade, according to MLB.com.
Durbin hit .241/.352/.372 with eight home runs, 62 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases across 105 games in 2022 between Low-A Augusta and High-A Rome. The 22-year-old has played second base, third base, and shortstop as a professional.
Atlanta designated infielder Lewin Diaz for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Luetge. The move continues a whirlwind offseason for Diaz, who joined the Braves in a minor trade six days ago and has now been DFA’d for the third time this offseason.
