Thursday, January 17, 2008

Former Biscuit traded to Braves

Former Biscuits pitcher Jeff Ridgway has been traded by the Rays to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for infielders Willy Aybar and Chase Fontaine.

Ridgway made 16 appearances with the Biscuits in 2006 and was 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA. The 27-year-old made his major-league debut last season.

Aybar, 24, missed all of last season because of a right wrist injury and treatment for substance abuse. He hurt the wrist in spring training and had surgery for it in August. Aybar has a .292 average in 105 career major-league games with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2005-06) and Braves (2006).

Since Aybar's major-league time includes 81 games at third base and just 21 at second, Tampa Bay may consider him an insurance policy if Evan Longoria doesn't make the major leagues out of spring training.

Fontaine, 22, played at low-Class A Rome and high-A Myrtle Beach. He played mainly second, but also was a shortstop, third baseman and left fielder.

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