The Boston Red Sox have traded right-handed minor league reliever Aaron Kurcz to the Atlanta Braves for right-handed reliever Anthony Varvaro, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Varvaro, 30, recorded a 2.63 ERA in 61 appearances last season. He struck out 50 and walked 13 in 54 ⅔ innings.
His trade occurred three days after the Braves designated him for assignment to secure a spot on its 40-man roster for infielder Alberto Callaspo.
Varvaro pitched in four games in 2010 for the Seattle Mariners and then spent the next four seasons with the Braves. He has a career 7-8 record with a 3.18 ERA in 172 ⅔ innings with 142 strikeouts and 64 walks.
The Red Sox received Kurcz in March 2012 as compensation from the Cubs after they hired former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.
Kurcz, 24, pitched last season for the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double-A affiliate after he missed the previous season with Tommy John elbow surgery.
He recorded a 2.14 ERA with the Sea Dogs and struck out 54 in 42 innings.