BY PAUL NEWBERRY
ATLANTA (AP) — The NL-leading Atlanta Braves added a pair of relievers to their injury plagued bullpen Monday, acquiring right-hander Pierce Johnson from Colorado and lefty Taylor Hearn from Texas.
The Braves have baseball’s best record (64-34) and a big lead in the NL East, but they have been hit hard by injuries — especially on their pitching staff.
Relievers Nick Anderson (right shoulder strain), Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation) and Jesse Chavez (bruised left shin) are all on the 60-day injured list. Lefty A.J. Minter is also out with shoulder inflammation, though he is set to begin a minor-league rehab stint Tuesday and could rejoin the team by next week’s trade deadline.
“You just don’t know what’s going to happen,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on a conference call with reporters. “You just don’t know what needs you’re gonna have, what injuries you’re gonna have. You can’t take anything for granted at any time.”
The Braves gave up pitching prospects Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon to land the 32-year-old Johnson, who began the season as the Rockies closer. He has 13 saves but was removed from that role in early June while saddled with a 7.50 ERA through 24 innings.
Johnson has pitched better since then, surrendering six earned runs in 15 innings, though his overall numbers (1-5, 6.00 ERA) are still ugly. The Braves were looking for another right-handed arm with power coming out of the bullpen, and they hope Johnson can fill that role. He has 58 strikeouts in 39 innings while pitching at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
“I know the numbers on the surface aren’t great. But he’s still getting lots of swings and misses,” Anthopoulos said. “We think there’s upside there and room to improve.”
Hearn was acquired from the Rangers for cash considerations after being designated for assignment last week. He gives the Braves another left-hander in the bullpen, but is more of a depth acquisition since he has minor-league options remaining.
Hearn began the season with the Rangers and posted a 10.29 ERA in four relief appearances before being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in mid-April. He was 2-2 with a 3.66 ERA in 24 outings for the minor-league team.
The Braves could make additional moves ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline, especially if they can add another starting pitcher and perhaps some infield depth.
Atlanta has gone with just three regular starters — Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder and Charlie Morton — much of the season because of injuries to ace Max Fried (left forearm strain) and right-hander Kyle Wright, a 21-game winner in 2022.
Fried is set for another rehab outing on Wednesday, which could be his last before rejoining the Braves’ rotation. Wright has made only five starts this season, the last coming on May 3, and his return from right shoulder inflammation is not expected before September.
“The biggest challenge is once the first of August comes and goes, we’re done,” Anthopoulos said. “You know this is the last shot to try to insulate yourself from what may or may not occur.”
