Braves land INF Nicky Lopez from Royals

The Atlanta Braves acquired infielder Nicky Lopez from the Kansas City Royals on Sunday in exchange for left-hander Taylor Hearn.

Lopez, 28, was batting .210 with three triples and 13 RBIs in 67 games for the Royals this season. In five seasons, all in Kansas City, he is a career .248 hitter with five home runs and 119 RBIs with 15 triples and 40 steals.

Lopez is considered an above-average fielder at second base and shortstop.

Hearn, 28, had just one outing with the Braves after he was purchased from the Texas Rangers on Monday. He has a 14.73 ERA in five outings with the Braves and Rangers this season. In 93 appearances (25 starts) over five big league seasons, mostly with Texas, Hearn is 12-15 with a 5.26 ERA.