Tribe trades Rosario, Luplow and Maton

CLEVELAND — With the NL East still up for grabs, the Atlanta Braves needed another quality hitter for the season's second half.The Indians had one to offer.Cleveland made its second significant trade in two days, sending outfielder Eddie Rosario to the Braves for infielder Pablo Sandoval on Friday. The Indians later released Sandoval, who was the World Series MVP in 2012 with San Francisco.Rosario signed a one-year, $8 million free agent contract this winter with the Indians, who essentially signaled surrender in the AL Central on Thursday by dealing second baseman Cesar Hernandez to the first-place White Sox for a minor league pitcher.The Braves will pay a portion of Rosario's contract, easing the financial burden on the Indians, who have been ravaged by injuries and are quickly fading from the playoff chase.Atlanta's been in the market to bolster its lineup since losing its best player when All-Star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury while trying to make a leaping catch earlier this month. The Indians capped a whirlwind few hours before the trading deadline Friday by sending outfielder Jordan Luplow and right-hander DJ Johnson to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league pitcher Peyton Battenfield. It was Cleveland's third trade of the day and fourth in 24 hours after they sent second baseman Cesar Hernandez to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. The Indians view Battenfield as a potential long-term starter. The 23-year-old split this season between High-A and Double-A, going 5-0 with a 2.14 ERA in 14 games. He'll report to Double-A Akron. Luplow has been on the injured list since May 28 with a sprained left ankle. The 27-year-old was batting .173 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 36 games. Also Friday, the Indians sent reliever Phil Maton to the AL West-leading Houston Astros for outfielder Myles Straw. The speedy Straw will fill an open outfield spot for the remainder of this season — and maybe beyond. Straw, 26, batted .262 with two homers and 34 RBIs in 98 games for the Astros. He has also scored 44 runs and is currently tied second in the AL with 17 steals in 22 attempts. The Indians have begun looking toward next season. They trail Chicago by eight games entering a weekend series between the teams. Also, manager Terry Francona has stepped down for the rest of this season to address some serious health issues.The 29-year-old Rosario has been on the injured list since July 6 with an oblique strain, and isn't quite ready to return. He's batting .254 with seven homers and 46 RBIs in 78 games. Rosario gives the Braves another proven hitter with postseason experience. He has a career 275 hitter in seven seasons, six with Minnesota.