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Braves trade Evan Gattis to Astros, The Atlanta Braves have traded catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis to the Houston Astros on Tuesday in exchange for three prospects.

Gattis was in Houston on Wednesday undergoing a physical exam, according to a person close to Gattis.Gattis, 28, becomes the third key Braves player traded this offseason, joining outfielders Jason Heyward and Justin Upton.

The Braves will receive right-handed starters Mike Foltynewicz and Andrew Thurman and third baseman Rio Ruiz.

Gattis hit 22 home runs in 2014, following up on his surprising 2013 season when he hit 21 home runs in becoming one of the game's unlikely breakout players.

He has a .791 OPS over two seasons, and was expected to move to the outfield in Atlanta with the signing of A.J. Pierzynski.

The Astros have acquired catcher Hank Conger from the Angels, but have shopped incumbent Jason Castro. Gattis would make for a significant power upgrade over Houston's current left fielders on the roster, topped by Robbie Grossman.

The gem of the trade for the Braves could be Ruiz, 20, who becomes their potential third baseman of the future. He has a career .790 OPS in three minor league seasons, and batted .290 with 11 home runs at high Class A Lancaster (Calif.) in 2014.

Braves trade Evan Gattis to Astros, The Houston Astros have acquired slugger Evan Gattis in a trade with the Atlanta Braves.

The rebuilding Braves received three minor league prospects -- right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, third baseman Rio Ruiz and right-hander Andrew Thurman -- in the trade, which also sent right-handed minor leaguer James Hoyt to Houston.Gattis passed a physical Wednesday to complete the deal, which the Braves announced in a news release later in the evening.

Gattis, 28, has 43 home runs in just 213 career games with the Braves. He burst onto the scene as a relative unknown in 2013 and became one of the most popular players among Atlanta's fan base.

The right-handed Gattis, who has played catcher, first base and left field, will join an emerging Astros lineup that already features All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, promising outfielder George Springer and slugger Chris Carter, who had 37 homers last season.