The Oakland Athletics on Thursday traded second baseman Mark Ellis and cash considerations to the Colorado Rockies for reliever Bruce Billings and a player to be named.
Ellis, 34, is hitting just .217 this season and spent time on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. He once was a starter but has served as a utilityman this season.
Ellis could start again with the Rockies, who have struggled to find a consistent second baseman, using four players at the position.
Billings is a 25-year-old righthander who made his major league debut in May. He has a 3.80 ERA over his last five minor league seasons.
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