ATLANTA — Phil Gosselin was working out at the Atlanta Braves’ complex near Orlando, Fla., last month, on the rehab trail from an injury to his thumb, when he took a phone call from John Coppolella, the assistant general manager, who told him he had been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Gosselin, a utility infielder, was startled by the news. He had no hard feelings toward the Braves, who had given him his first chance in the majors, but he could tell the trade was unusual when he learned the particulars. Heading to Atlanta would be Bronson Arroyo, a veteran pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery, and a 19-year-old minor league pitcher, Touki Toussaint.