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Braves trade former top prospect Bethancourt to San Diego

The Braves traded catcher Christian Bethancourt to the San Diego Padres for right-hander Casey Kelly and 17-year-old catching prospect Ricardo Rodriguez.

Bethancourt was a former elite prospect who struggled in his major league stints with the Braves the past two seasons, and he became expendable when the Braves signed Tyler Flowers to a two-year contract this week to split the catching duties with veteran A.J. Pierzynski, who re-signed with the Braves last month.

+Braves trade former top prospect Bethancourt to San Diego photo
The Braves traded former top prospect Christian Bethancourt to the Padres on Thursday after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal

Still only 24, Bethancourt was out of minor-league options and could not have been sent to Triple-A without clearing waivers.