Braves Briefing: Atlanta trades for Pierce Johnson and Taylor Hearn

The Atlanta Braves made some moves in an attempt to bolster their bullpen on Monday. They acquired two talented relievers: right-hander Pierce Johnson from the Colorado Rockies and left-hander Taylor Hearn from the Texas Rangers.

Despite having the best record in baseball at 64-34 and a commanding lead in the NL East, the Braves have faced challenges due to injuries, particularly affecting their pitching staff.

Several key relievers are on the 60-day injured list, including Nick Anderson (right shoulder strain), Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation), and Jesse Chavez (bruised left shin). Additionally, lefty A.J. Minter is dealing with shoulder inflammation, but there is hope for his return as he is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday. The team is optimistic that he may be able to rejoin the main roster before next week's trade deadline.

NL East Standings

We wrote it

Austin Riley has been named NL Player of the Week after an incredible week of action. Our own Lindsay Crosby noted the following.

In the six games Atlanta played from July 18th to July 23rd, three each against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers, Riley went 10-25 with 6 homeruns, one double and one triple. He scored 9 runs, drove in 16 RBIs, and struck out only five times.
Riley's five-game homerun streak was tied for the longest homer streak in Braves history, and the longest in MLB since Mike Trout hit homers in seven games last September. Since RBIs became an official stat in 1920, Austin Riley was the only Braves player with at least six homeruns and 16 RBIs in a five-game stretch in franchise history.
It's a fantastic change from the previous month - as of last Monday, the day before the streak started, Riley was 7-for-42 (.196) with one homer and 17 strikeouts in the first 11 games of July, and hit just .221 with five homers and a .656 OPS over 30 games.

What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

After a much-needed off day on Monday, the Braves take on the Boston Red Sox tonight.

First pitch in Tuesday's series opener against the Red Sox is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET, with Charlie Morton taking the bump for Atlanta.