The Cleveland Indians have traded minor-league catcher Anthony Recker to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations, the team confirmed through Twitter. Recker was signed to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training prior to the season, but he became expendable when the Tribe traded for Chris Gimenez following Roberto Perez's thumb injury.
Recker was slashing .246/.395/.426 with two home runs for the Columbus Clippers this season, mostly in a backup role for starting catcher Adam Moore. Recker played 32 games in the majors last season, slashing .125/.239/.213 for the New York Mets. As long as his strikeout rate stays in the mid- to high-30s as it has in his last few seasons, he will have a tough time finding success in the majors anytime soon.
Even with Recker's departure, the Indians Triple-A squad still has Moore, Guillermo Quiroz, Alex Lavisky, and presumably Chris Gimenez (once Roberto Perez returns) available at catcher.
Recker will report to the Braves' Triple-A team, the Gwinnett Braves. The Braves major-league team currently carries Tyler Flowers and A.J. Pierzynski as their catching tandem, neither of which have been particularly effective over the Braves' first 30 games.