Braves traded minor league pitcher Austin Smith to Rockies in exchange for reliever Tyler Kinley

The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitcher Austin Smith on Wednesday, one day before the non-waiver trade deadline.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated right-hander Enyel De Los Santos for assignment.

The 34-year-old Kinley has spent the past six seasons in Colorado, where he had a spectacular 2022 season in which he went 1-1 with a 0.75 ERA in 25 appearances. But the right-hander has struggled much of the past three years, and Kinley is just 1-3 with a 5.66 ERA with three saves in 49 appearances this season.

Kinley is in the last year of a $6.25 million, three-year deal that includes a club option for next season.

The 26-year-old Smith is 0-1 with a 2.38 ERA this season at Class-A Rome in the Braves’ farm system.