ATLANTA (AP) -The Braves sent troubled infielder Willy Aybar to Tampa Bay in a three-player trade Thursday that brought left-hander Jeff Ridgway to Atlanta.
The Rays also received minor league infielder Chase Fontaine from Atlanta.
The 24-year-old Aybar was expected to be a key backup for the Braves last season, but he injured his right hand, reportedly battled substance abuse problems and wound up missing the entire year.
Aybar was suspended by the Braves when he failed to show up for treatment. He eventually had season-ending surgery.
Ridgway gives the Braves another bullpen candidate after pitching most of last season at Triple-A Durham. He went 2-3 with a 3.06 ERA and four saves in 54 games with the Bulls before getting called up to the majors in the final month.
The 27-year-old Ridgway made three appearances for the Rays, struggling to get anyone out. He allowed seven runs in one-third of an inning for a 189.00 ERA.
Fontaine, 22, hit a combined .280 with seven home runs and 58 RBIs for three low-level minor league teams last season.
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