BREAKING: Braves trade for Rockies RHP Pierce Johnson, Rangers LHP Taylor Hearn

The Atlanta Braves have begun fortifying their bullpen by acquiring reliever Pierce Johnson from the Colorado Rockies, per reports.

The Rockies have traded RHP Pierce Johnson to the Braves for a pair of minor leaguers, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 24, 2023

The team has yet to confirm the transaction.

Johnson, 32, is 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA for the Rockies. He's pitched 39 innings this season across 43 outings, striking out 58 and walking 25.

A 2012 first round pick by the Chicago Cubs, he debuted in 2017 with the club and was later claimed off waivers that season by the San Francisco Giants. After a season of moving up and down between San Fran and the AAA roster, he elected free agency and signed with the San Diego Padres. He was released at the end of last season and signed with the Colorado Rockies.

In his career, Johnson has a 11-14 record and 4.48 ERA with 185 relief appearances, including 13 career saves.

The compensation is reported to be prospects Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon. Neither player is currently on Atlanta's Top 30 prospects per MLB.com, although Vodnik was a higher-rated prospect in previous season.

We'll update this story with more information once the team announces the transaction.

UPDATE: The Braves have reportedly also traded for LHP Taylor Hearn from the Texas Rangers, per MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

The Braves have also acquired Taylor Hearn from the Rangers. Both Hearn and Pierce Johnson who was acquired from the Rockies this morning have options. That's big. The Braves have been limited by the lack of optionable relievers in their pen this year.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 24, 2023

Hearn, 28, was DFA'd by Texas last Wednesday. He's got a 10.29 ERA on the season after pitching in four games and seven innings, with nine hits and eight runs allowed. He struck out four and walked seven.

Most importantly, as Bowman points out, both relievers have minor league options available and can be moved back and forth between Atlanta and AAA Gwinnett upto five times this season.

UPDATE (12:47 PM): The Braves have confirmed both transactions. The corresponding moves were designating Lucas Luetge (Johnson) and Dereck Rodriguez (Hearn). the official compensation for Hearn was cash considerations.

#Braves Acquire RHP Pierce Johnson: pic.twitter.com/4ixN06Yb3C
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 24, 2023

#Braves Acquire LHP Taylor Hearn: pic.twitter.com/I6CfTaVuWF
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 24, 2023

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