The Atlanta Braves joined the Detroit Tigers on Monday by grabbing key relievers for the back end of their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Scott Downs of the Los Angeles Angels.
Downs, 37, is having another stellar season, yielding a 1.84 ERA over 43 relief appearances this season. He made 29 consecutive scoreless appearances from May 5 to July 23, yielding a .183 batting average.
The Braves traded Class AAA pitcher Cory Rasmus to acquire Downs. Rasmus, drafted in 2006, is 17-22 with a 3.61 ERA in seven minor-league seasons and madethree relief appearances with the Braves this season
This was also the Angels' official notification that they are giving up for the season. They are 12 games behind the Oakland A's in the AL West, and now likely will play the rest of the season without first baseman Albert Pujols, who will be sidelined after tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot.
Downs will fill a void created when former All-Star lefty Jonny Venters was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery in May.
Rasmus is the brother of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Colby Rasmus.
Earlier Monday, the Tigers made a bold move to strengthen their bullpen Monday morning by acquiring Houston Astros closer Jose Veras.
Veras, who recorded a five-out save Saturday, has saved 11 consecutive games for the last-place Astros.
Veras will be a setup man for Joaquin Benoit, who has been the Tigers' closer since June when Jose Valverde was designated for assignment and returned to the minor leagues. The Astros received minor-league outfielder Danry Vasquez in return.
GALLERY: MLB players on the move at the deadline
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