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Matt Kemp traded back to Dodgers in major 5-player deal

The Braves hope to improve their defense, and one area where they could do it quickly would be to replace injury-slowed left fielder Matt Kemp. (Photo: Curtis Compton/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The Braves and Dodgers announced a five-player trade Saturday afternoon that sent outfielder Matt Kemp back to Los Angeles.

Atlanta added starting pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir, infielder Charlie Culberson, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and cash. Gonzalez was designated for assignment.

The Dodgers snuck under the $197 million luxury tax threshold, while the Braves open an outfield spot for top prospect Ronald Acuna.

Kazmir and McCarthy have endured several injuries through recent years, with both presenting moderate upside when healthy.

Culberson could be a utility option. He’s played sparingly for the Dodgers the past two seasons, with his most memorable performance coming at the end of the 2016 season, when Culberson hit a walk-off home run to clinch the NL West in Vin Scully’s final home game.