Braves acquire Johnson, Hearn to boost bullpen

Sports

The Atlanta Braves acquired relievers Pierce Johnson and Taylor Hearn in separate trades Monday.

The Braves traded right-handers Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon, ranked Nos. 10 and 26 respectively among Atlanta’s farmhands per MLB Pipeline, to the Colorado Rockies for Johnson.

In exchange for Hearn, the Braves sent cash considerations to the Texas Rangers.

The moves come a day after the Braves acquired right-handed pitcher Yonny Chirinos off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Atlanta (64-34) boasts the best record in the majors despite left-hander A.J. Minter (left shoulder inflammation), left-hander Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation) and right-hander Jesse Chavez (bruised left shin).

Johnson, 32, is 1-5 with 13 saves and a 6.00 ERA in 43 appearances out of Colorado’s bullpen this season. The right-hander has struck out 58 batters and walked 25 in 39 innings.

Johnson is 11-14 with a 4.48 ERA in 183 career games (two starts) with the Chicago Cubs (2017), San Francisco Giants (2018), San Diego Padres (2020-22) and Rockies.

Hearn, 28, has a 10.29 ERA in four relief appearances for the Rangers this season. In five seasons for the Rangers he is 12-15 with a 5.11 ERA in 92 games, including 25 starts.

Vodnik, 23, is 3-1 with four saves and a 3.10 ERA in 30 relief appearances this season at Double-A Mississippi.

Gordon, 25, is 5-9 with a 5.86 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) with Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

The Braves designated left hander Lucas Luetge and right-hander Dereck Rodriguez for assignment to fit Johnson and Hearn on their 40-man roster.

Reuters contributed to this report.