Braves Updates: Chirinos, Johnson, and Hearn join team in Boston, Elledge outrighted, and more
By Steven Teal
The Atlanta Braves have been busy making moves this week. Whether that be through trades, roster moves, etc.
Atlanta recently acquired Yonny Chirinos off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays and is likely to be used as a starter for the Braves. He split time between Tampa Bay and their Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls. He has a 4.02 ERA and a 5.52 FIP in 62.2 innings across 4 starts. With the Bulls, Chirinos has a 4.66 ERA in 19.1 innings.
Chirinos has fared much better as a reliever than as a starter this season. In four starts, he has a 6.43 ERA. In relief, he has a 2.81 ERA through 41.2 innings pitched.
On Monday, the Braves made a couple of trades for relief pitching options. The first trade was for RHP Pierce Johnson from Colorado. He was acquired for minor leaguers Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon. He carries a 6.00 ERA through 43 appearances.
LHP Taylor Hearn was the second player traded for and he was acquired for cash considerations from the Texas Rangers. Hearn began the season at the MLB level but after posting a 10.29 ERA through 7 innings, he was sent back to Triple-A.
He's pitched to a 3.66 ERA through 39 1/3 innings while striking out 54 and walking 24 batters during that time frame for Triple-A Round Rock.
The #Braves today reported RHP’s Yonny Chirinos, Pierce Johnson and LHP Taylor Hearn to Atlanta. The club also outrighted RHP Seth Elledge to Triple-A Gwinnett. Additionally, LHP A.J. Minter tonight begins a rehabilitation assignment with the Stripers.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 25, 2023
It wasn't announced when each player would be joining the team but the Braves announced on Tuesday that all 3 pitchers are with the team in Boston.
Pierce Johnson will wear number 76 for the Braves and Hearn will wear number 78. Chirinos will don the number 56 on his jersey. I'm sure we will see one of them in action at some point tonight.
The need for arms is apparent with the injuries to the bullpen and starting staff currently. A.J. Minter will begin his rehab appearance with Gwinnett tonight in Jacksonville as they visit the Jumbo Shrimp. Depending on how he feels, he could rejoin the team sometime soon.
The Braves also announced that Seth Elledge, who was recently designated for assignment when Chirinos was acquired, was outrighted to Gwinnett.
The team begins a brief, two-game series with the Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park. Game one starts at 7:10 PM EST and can be seen on Bally Sports South.