The Braves have made their first trade ahead of Monday’s deadline, the club announced Saturday.
The Braves sent minor league pitchers Carter Holton and Lucas Braun to the Royals’ organization. Braun, pitching for Triple-A Gwinnett, is the Braves’ No. 8 overall prospect, according to MLB.
In return, the Royals sent outfielder Lane Thomas and left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter. Thomas is hitting .230 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs over 96 games this season. Falter has made only five appearances — and two starts — and has an ERA of 13.97.
Thomas will report to the Braves on Tuesday while Falter will begin his Braves’ tenure with Triple-A Gwinnett, Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Saturday.
“(Thomas) is an accomplished big-league player,” Anthopoulos added. “He’s been an everyday player. — that’s not the planned role for him now, he knows that. I told him there’s not complete clarity yet because we’re still working through some things. But the plan is certainly not the exact same role he had in Kansas City, where he was playing every day in center.
“Can play all three (outfield positions). His strength is hitting left-handers. Great guy, great in the clubhouse, and just excited to add him and make our team stronger.”
Thomas, a Knoxville, Tennessee native, is hitting .263 against left-handed pitchers and has an .800 OPS in those matchups. For his career, he has a .850 OPS against lefties and has played all three outfield positions. He is on a one-year, $5.25 million contract.
After making his debut with the Cardinals in 2019, Thomas has also played for the Nationals and Guardians. He is a .240 career hitter.
The Braves will have to make a roster spot available for Thomas ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Marlins at Truist Park. Anthopoulos wouldn’t get into specifics about what that roster move might entail given the trade deadline is not until 6 p.m. Monday.
Falter, from California, last pitched for the Royals May 26, but has been pitching for Triple-A Omaha, where he has thrown in 17 games and made seven starts, totaling 43 innings while going 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA.
Falter made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Phillies and has also pitched for the Pirates before joining the Royals.
“He’ll be depth. He’s off the roster. You know. The focus of this deal was (Thomas). Then as the discussions evolved, Bailey Falter was included in this, and he’ll be depth for us in Gwinnett,” Anthopoulos said. “If he throws well, and we have a need, he’s had experience at the big-league level, and he’s had success in the past at the big-league level — obviously, it hasn’t gone the way he hoped in the current year.
“The focus of this trade for the big league team was Lane Thomas, and that’s not to be disrespectful, it’s just stating the facts.”
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