ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves have boosted their rotation and added a right-handed bat to their bench by acquiring left-hander Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson from the Chicago Cubs.
Braves general manager Frank Wren confirmed late Monday night the team is sending right-handed pitchers Arodys Vizcaino, a top prospect who had season-ending Tommy John surgery in April, and Jaye Chapman to the Cubs.
The 29-year-old Maholm is 9-6 with a 3.74 ERA, including a 4-0 record and 1.23 ERA in July. He is 62-79 in eight seasons, including seven with Pittsburgh.
Johnson is hitting .333 against left-handers this season. He is 13 for 29 (.448) as a pinch hitter.
The Braves have won six straight and trail first-place Washington by 3 1-2 games in the NL East.
