The Atlanta Braves have traded relief pitcher Rafael Soriano to the Tampa Bay Rays for right-hander Jesse Chavez, major league sources tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
The deal could be completed by the end of Thursday pending a review of Soriano's medical records by the Rays, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Soriano underwent Tommy John surgery in 2004 and spent time on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis in 2008.
Soriano, who had 27 saves and a 2.97 ERA for the Braves last season, had surprised the team by accepting salary arbitration. His arrival would bolster the Rays' bullpen.
The Braves recently signed free agent relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito. That made Soriano expendable, and the Rays were looking for late-inning relief help.
The Rays obtained Chavez from the Pirates last week in the trade that sent second baseman Akinori Iwamura to Pittsburgh.
Chavez was 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 73 appearances last season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.