The Atlanta Braves have acquired 28-year old lefty swinging CF Michael Bourn from the Astros for 24-year old lefty swinging CF Jordan Schafer, 22-year old lefty starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer, 23-year old righty starting pitcher Paul Clemens and 26-year old righty reliever Juan Abreu. Bourn’s speed both in the field and on the basepaths are going to make the Braves into a brand new looking team…..and a better one. Bourn played in 105 games for the Astros this year and he was 130 for 429 (.303 avg, .766 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 1 homer, 32 RBIs and 39 stolen bases. He has now played in 663 games in his first six years in the majors and he is 586 for 2,164 (.271 avg, .697 OPS) with 333 runs scored, 12 homers, 140 RBIs and 212 stolen bases.

Jordan Schafer has been a bust for the Braves. He played in 52 games for the Braves this year and he was 47 for 196 (.240 avg, .623 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 1 homer, 7 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Schafer played in 102 games for the Braves in parts of two years and he was 81 for 363 (.223 avg, .613 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 3 homers, 15 RBIs and 17 stolen bases to go along with an amazingly bad 105 whiffs. Brett Oberholtzer came into this season as the Braves’ #9 prospect according to Baseball America. He pitched in 21 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Braves this year and he was 9-9 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Paul Clemens came into this year as the Braves’ #26 prospect according to Baseball America. Clemens pitched in 20 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Braves this year and he was 6-5 with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Juan Abreu came into this year as the Braves’ #27 prospect according to Baseball America. He has pitched in 41 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Braves this year and he was 4-2 with 1 save, a 2.25 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.

The Braves stole Michael Bourn from the Astros as they didn’t give up any prospects they will lose any sleep over. Look out for the Braves now as Bourn is going to give the team a new look both offensively and defensively going forward.

The Atlanta Braves have designated 27-year old righty swinging shortstop Diory Hernandez for assignment. Hernandez played in 22 games for the Braves this year and he was 7 for 33 (.212 avg, .545 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. He played in 75 games in his three years with the Braves and he is 20 for 127 (.157 avg, .455 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 3 homers and 11 RBIs. Hernandez just hasn’t been that good of a hitter in the majors but the Braves will likely keep him if he clears waivers.

UPDATE: (8/4/2011) - The Braves have outrighted Diory Hernandez to AAA.

The Braves have placed 29-year old lefty swinging CF Nate McLouth on the 15-day disabled list due to a lower abdominal strain. McLouth has played in 81 games for the Braves this year and he is 61 for 267 (.228 avg, .677 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 4 homers, 16 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Braves have called up 27-year old lefty swinging CF Jose Constanza to replace McLouth on the active roster. Constanza has played in 86 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 104 for 333 (.312 avg, .712 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 1 homer, 25 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He has now played in 743 games in his first 7 years in the minors and he is 808 for 2,782 (.290 avg, .720 OPS) with 454 runs scored, 6 homers, 231 RBIs and 233 stolen bases. This is Constanza’s first shot at the majors and the Braves hope he takes advantage of it.

UPDATE: (8/5/2011) - The Braves will be without Nate McLouth for the next six weeks due to surgery to repair a sports hernia. He won’t be back until the last two weeks of the 2011 season.

The Braves have acquired 33-year old righty swinging catcher Wil Nieves from the Brewers for cash considerations. Nieves has played in 20 games for the Brewers so far this year and he is 7 for 50 (.140 avg, .369 OPS) with 2 runs scored. Nieves has now played in 282 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 166 for 751 (.221 avg, .557 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 5 homers, 73 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. This was a nice pickup for the Braves as Nieves is familiar with the division as he spent 2007-2009 with the Washington Nationals.

The Braves have placed 24-year old lefty swinging CF Jordan Schafer on the 15-day disabled list due to a chip fracture in his left middle finger. Schafer has played in 52 games for the Braves so far this year and he is 47 for 196 (.240 avg, .623 OPS) with 32 runs scored, 1 homer, 7 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. The Braves have called up 25-year old righty swinging outfielder Wilkin Ramirez to replace Schafer on the active roster. Ramirez has already played in 19 games for the Braves so far this year and he is 6 for 23 (.261 avg, .718 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 0 homers and 2 RBIs.