The Rockies’ quest for much-needed organizational pitching depth continued Monday.

The club traded right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson to the Braves in exchange for right-handed pitching prospects Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon.

“We are trying to build our depth,” Colorado general manager Bill Schmidt said. “We appreciated everything Pierce did for us, but we feel like we are adding some depth.”

Manager Bud Black told reporters in Washinton D.C. that both Vodnik and Gordon will pitch for Double-A Hartford.

A month ago, the Rockies traded veteran infielder Mike Moustakas to the Angels in exchange for right-handed prospect Connor Van Scoyoc.

“We started with the trade for ‘Moose,’ and now we are adding two more arms,” Schmidt continued. “All three (prospects) are past Double-A now, so that’s a good thing.”

Gordon, 25, has split this season between Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi, going 5-9 with a 5.86 ERA in 17 games (16 starts).

“He’s gotten hit around a little bit in Triple-A but he’s pitched well in Double-A and we think there is upside there,” Schmidt said.

Originally drafted by Atlanta in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of Indiana University, Gordon is in his fourth professional season. His 12 wins in 2022 were tied for the most in the Braves’ farm system.

Over his four-year minor league career, Gordon is 25-25 with a 4.54 ERA over 77 games (62 starts). He’s pitched two complete games and notched one save. Gordon was most recently ranked as the Braves’ No. 26 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Vodnik, 23, was ranked as the Braves’ 10th-best prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. He is 3-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 25 walks and 56 strikeouts in 30 relief appearances for Double-A Mississippi.

“He’s a 6-footer with arm strength,” Schmidt said. “He’s got a good fastball with a good changeup, but his curveball needs work. But we feel like there is an upside.”

Vodnik was originally drafted by Atlanta in the 14th round of the 2018 draft out of Rialto High School (Calif.). Vodnik is 8-9 with a 3.48 ERA and 10 saves over his five professional seasons that included 99 games (14 starts).

Both young right-handers would be eligible for selection in December’s Rule 5 draft if they are not added to Colorado’s 40-man roster by then.

Johnson, a Colorado native who graduated from Faith Christian High School in Arvada, signed a one-year, $5 million free-agent contract with Colorado in December. Johnson began the season as a closer and notched 13 saves. He was 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA in 43 games for the Rockies.

Both Schmidt and Black said that there’s a possibility that the Rockies could attempt to re-sign Johnson when he becomes a free agent after the season.

Bad news Rox. The organization’s pitching staff continues getting battered by injuries. MLB.com reported Monday that veteran right-hander Antonio Senzatela, along with right-handed prospects Gabriel Hughes, Jackson Cox and Jordy Vargas, will undergo Tommy John surgery this week.

Dr. Keith Meister, the Rangers’ head team physician, will perform the operations.

All four players will miss the entire 2024 season, another big blow for a team that has been decimated by injuries to pitchers.

Senzatela, who made just two starts with Colorado this season, found out a month ago that he would need the season-ending surgery.

Hughes, the 10th overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Gonzaga and ranked as Colorado’s No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, posted a 6.21 ERA between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford this season.

Cox, 19, was a second-round pick out of Toutle Lake High School (Washington) last year. At Low-A Fresno this season, the No. 12 prospect was 1-0 with a 7.26 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). He pitched just 31 innings.

Vargas, 19, was impressive in 13 starts with Low-A Fresno this season, posting a 4.22 ERA. The right-hander from the Dominican Republic was signed as a non-drafted international free agent on Jan. 12, 2021. MLB Pipeline ranked him as Colorado’s 11th-best prospect.

Tuesday’s pitching matchup

Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (8-8, 6.18 ERA) at Nationals RHP Trevor Williams (5-5, 4.38)

5:05 p.m. Tuesday, Nationals Park

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM

Gomber didn’t pitch poorly in his last start vs. Houston but a few mistake pitches cost him. The lefty allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings in Colorado’s 4-1 loss. He fanned five. The loss snapped a four-start winning streak for Gomber, who had not allowed more than two earned runs in that span. He’s been the Rockies’ best starter for the last month. Williams allowed two runs in five innings against the Cubs in his last start. The right-hander scattered seven hits, walked two and struck out one in Washington’s 8-3 loss.

Pitching probables

Wednesday: Rockies RHP Peter Lambert (2-1, 5.49) at Nationals RHP Jake Irvin (3-5, 4.87), 10:10 a.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Off day

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