Braves acquire Kolb; Smoltz moves back into rotation

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Moving to re-make their pitching staff after the departures of Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright, the Atlanta Braves have acquired closer Danny Kolb from Milwaukee and are expected to announce that John Smoltz will move back into the rotation, sources have told SportsLine.com.

In exchange for Kolb, the Braves will send Jose Capellan, their top pitching prospect, and a minor-league prospect to Milwaukee. The deal is expected to be announced Saturday night.

Smoltz reluctantly left the rotation to become the Braves' closer in 2001 and has pined to return ever since. But he had so much success as a closer that the Braves didn't think they could afford to move him back. But things have changed dramatically over the past couple of years.

For one thing, the Braves have suffered mass defections from their rotation, including the losses of Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, Ortiz and Wright to free agency and trading Kevin Millwood for financial reasons.

For another, salaries have inflated throughout the industry this winter and the Braves, on a strict budget, apparently decided that it was cheaper to acquire Kolb than it was to pay $8 million-plus annually and commit to multiple years for a premium starter. Kolb, who earned $1.5 million in 2004, is eligible for salary arbitration.

Capellon, whose fastball has been clocked at 100 mph was 14-4 with a 2.32 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings at three different minor-league levels last season.