The Braves have signed 37-year old righty starter/reliever Elmer Dessens to a contract for the remainder of the season. Dessens was pitching in Mexico this season. He has pitched in 20 games (19 starts) for Mexico City and he was 10-2 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Dessens has now pitched in 356 games (140 starts) in his major league career and he is 48-61 with 5 saves, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Braves will likely use Dessens out of the bullpen to finish the season but he could start if they need him to.

The Braves continue to move veterans as they have traded 32-year old outfielder Mark Kotsay to the Red Sox for 20-year old outfielder Luis Sumoza. Kotsay was having a solid season for the Braves in 2008 as he played in 88 games for them this season and he was 92 for 318 (.289 avg, .758 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 6 homers and 37 RBIs. The Braves will likely go with some of the kids in the outfield the rest of the season. Sumoza is a righty swinger who has been playing well in the short season rookie league for the Red Sox. Sumoza has played in 51 games in the minors this season and he is 58 for 193 (.301 avg, .915 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 11 homers, 38 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. The Braves were smart to make this move as Kotsay wasn’t going to help the Braves make the playoffs this season and they got a decent prospect for him.

The Atlanta Braves have signed 32-year old righty starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract with a team option for the 2009 season. Lopez started 14 games last season for the Rockies last season and he was 5-4 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. His 2007 season was cut short due to Tommy John Surgery which he is still recovering from right now. Lopez has pitched in 181 games (167 starts) in his major league career and he is 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. This was a nice low risk/high reward signing for the Braves as Lopez is a decent starting pitcher.

I don’t know if it’s hurt feelings or if Kotchman just hasn’t adjusted to National League pitching but he’s played horrible for the Braves since coming over from the Angels. Kotchman has played in 19 games for the Braves and he is 10 for 67 (.149 avg, .456 OPS) with 6 runs scored and 5 RBIs. The Braves are hoping that Kotchman gets his bat going as Mark Teixeira has been incredible for the Angels since the trade. To secure his spot in the Braves’ future Kotchman will have to start hitting soon.

The Braves have placed reserve infielder Ruben Gotay on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Gotay has played in 73 games this season for the Braves and he is 20 for 89 (.225 avg, .647 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. The Braves have recalled lefty starting pitcher Jo Jo Reyes to take over for Tom Glavine in the starting rotation. Reyes has pitched in 16 games (15 starts) for the Braves this season and he is 3-9 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.