Braves release Matt Carpenter after 3-player trade with Padres
The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran infielder Matt Carpenter, left-hander Ray Kerr, and cash considerations from the San Diego Padres for minor-league outfielder Drew Campbell, the teams announced Friday.
The Padres sent the Braves $1.5 million as part of the trade, a source told The Athletic's Dennis Lin.
The Braves acquired Carpenter's salary as a method of obtaining Kerr and had plans to flip the 38-year-old to another team, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Friday. However, Atlanta released Carpenter on Monday after being unable to find a trade partner, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Carpenter exercised a $5.5-million player option for the 2024 campaign as part of a two-year contract he signed with the Padres in December 2022. The money San Diego sent to the Braves covers part of his 2024 salary.
Carpenter struggled in 2023, hitting just .176 with five home runs and 31 RBIs across 76 games for the Padres.
Kerr, 29, posted a 1-1 record with a 4.33 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 22 appearances for the Padres last season.
Campbell, 26, hit nine home runs with 10 stolen bases and 30 RBIs in 78 games for the Braves' Double-A affiliate last season.