Tigers acquire Erick Aybar in trade with Braves

— -- DETROIT -- With injuries continuing to pile up, the Detroit Tigers acquired infielder Erick Aybar from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Mike Aviles and minor league catcher Kade Scivicque.

The team announced the deal prior to Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.

The 32-year-old Aybar hit .242 with 27 runs and 26 RBIs in 97 games for the Braves this season. He is just two years removed from an All-Star appearance and won a Gold Glove at shortstop with the? Los Angeles Angels?in 2011.

"Now with all the injuries that we've had and talking it over with the staff, we felt we needed to upgrade our bench," Tigers general manager Al Avila said.

"He's always been kind of a dynamic player, had the ability to hit, hit and run, bunt, hit from both sides of the plate," manager Brad Ausmus said. "He'll probably see time from all the infield positions ... we'll kind of use him as an infield utility player."

Avila also praised Aybar's usefulness.

"The main reason for this is to upgrade our utility position. We feel that Aybar could give us a little more offense from that position. He's a switch-hitter. He can play third, he can play short, he can play second. Really, if we needed him to, in a pinch, if we had to and I hope we don't, we could throw him into the outfield. But right now, he gives us an experienced, veteran-type player that we feel will give us a little bit better offense than, let's say, Aviles, at this point, and the same versatility."

Though Aybar, according to Avila, is supposed to represent an offensive upgrade, he actually ranks last among all qualified hitters in wRC (adjusted weighted runs created), according to Fangraphs.com. Aybar also has a career-high 16 percent strikeout rate this season compared to 10.5 percent from 2012 to '15, according to ESPN Stats & Information.?

Aybar will be available for Wednesday's series finale vs. Kansas City, according to Avila. The Tigers will have to make a corresponding roster move.?Although Aybar's natural position is shortstop, Avila said the team still expects shortstop? Jose Iglesias?to return within?the two-week time frame designated when he went on the DL.

Avila, who said the team has made "numerous" waiver wire claims recently, said the team has not ruled out any additional moves, though at this point, the chances appear slim.

The Tigers are currently without position players Nick Castellanos (hand), Cameron Maybin (thumb) and Iglesias?(thumb), and pitchers Jordan Zimmermann (neck) and Mike Pelfrey (back), all of whom are on the disabled list.

Miguel Cabrera sat out Tuesday's game because of a left biceps strain, though the team is not anticipating that he will miss more than two or three days.

Outfielder Steven Moya was recalled by the Tigers and was available for Tuesday's game but did not play.