Braves acquire relievers Pierce Johnson, Taylor Hearn to bolster injury-plagued bullpen

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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.

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Pierce Johnson #36 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after conceding a three-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to the Detroit Tigers at Coors Field on July 1, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.  (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

"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