Braves Ship Hanson To Angels For Walden

Brian D. Kersey/Getty Images(NEW YORK) --  The Atlanta Braves have shipped starting pitcher Tommy Hanson to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for reliever Jordan Walden.

The 26-year-old Hanson had a career record of 45-32 with a 3.61 ERA in four seasons with the Braves.  He was once regarded by the team as a future ace of their pitching staff, but he has been bothered by shoulder problems and a severe decline in his velocity.

The Braves also cited starting pitching depth as a reason for trading the right-handed Hanson.

Acquiring Hanson provides the Angels with much-needed depth in their rotation.  He will fall in line behind ace Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson.  The Angels traded Ervin Santana to the Royals and decided not to pick up the contract option on Dan Haren.

Walden became expendable to the Angels after they signed free-agent closer Ryan Madson to a one-year deal earlier this week.  He joins Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters, and Eric O'Flaherty in a loaded Braves bullpen.

Walden, like Hanson, has been sidetracked by injuries and issues with pitching mechanics. His average fastball velocity dipped from 98.8 mph in 2010 to 96.3 mph in 2012

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Braves' Tommy Hanson Suffers Mild Concussion in Car Accident

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson has gotten off to a rough start to spring training.

On his way to the ballpark on the first day for pitchers and catchers to report yesterday, Hanson got into a car accident after his car blew a tire while turning a corner. He wound up bumping his head and according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Hanson now has a mild concussion as a result. The good news is that it is a grade 1 concussion, which is the least serious concussion level.

Bowman also added that Hanson did come to the ballpark today, but was eventually sent home. As long as Hanson can resume his workouts over the weekend or by next week, he is not expected to miss any major time and will stick to his regular spring training schedule.

This isn't how Hanson wanted to start his season. He made just five starts following the All-Star game after experiencing pain in his shoulder which wound up being a small tear in his rotator cuff. The 25-year old went 11-7 overall last season with a 3.60 ERA.

Copyright 2012, ABC News Radio

Hanson Says Right Shoulder is Feeling Good

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images(ATLANTA) --  After missing most of the final two months of the 2011 MLB season due to a right shoulder injury, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson says his shoulder is feeling better.

Hanson, who was 1-3 with an 8.03 ERA after the All-Star break, hasn't pitched in a Major League game since August 6th.

If Hanson is healthy, it will be a big boost for the Braves rotation.

Over his three year career, he has posted a 32-22 record with a 3.28 ERA while compiling 430 strikeouts in 460.1 innings pitched.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio