Braves acquire bat, arm as trade deadline looms

The Atlanta Braves boosted their rotation and added a right-handed bat to their bench Monday night by acquiring left-hander Paul Maholm and outfielder Reed Johnson from the Chicago Cubs.

Braves general manager Frank Wren confirmed 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, who also sent cash to the Braves.

Wren said the team views Vizcaino as a rising power reliever, but he said Maholm and Johnson are players who can make a difference for the Braves' hopes of catching Washington in the NL East.