Atlanta declined their half of Hand's $7 million mutual option for 2024 on Sunday.
Hand posted a 7.50 ERA in 20 appearances after being acquired from Colorado at the trade deadline, so paying the $500,000 buyout was a no-brainer for Atlanta. The 33-year-old lefty also had a 4.54 ERA over 35.2 innings for the Rockies, with his combined 5.53 ERA being the worst of his MLB career.
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Braves' Brad Hand: Notches extra-inning save
Rotowire
Hand picked up the save in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over Philadelphia. He notched one strikeout in a perfect 10th inning.
After Atlanta's closer, Raisel Iglesias, blew a save in the ninth inning, Hand successfully shut the door on Philadelphia's comeback effort with a perfect 10th inning. It was the 33-year-old's first save of the year after amassing 129 over the previous six seasons. Despite Iglesias blowing back-to-back chances, there is little doubt that he will remain the top option to close out games down the stretch.
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Braves' Brad Hand: Shipped to Atlanta
Rotowire
The Rockies traded Hand to Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for Alec Barger, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Hand is not all that far removed from fantasy relevance -- he was an All-Star closer with San Diego and Cleveland from 2017-19 -- but he didn't earn a single save during his time with Colorado. The 33-year-old can still get lefties out (.143/.276/.204 vs. LHH this season) and he provides Atlanta with a second southpaw in the bullpen behind A.J. Minter.
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Rockies' Brad Hand: Grabs second win
Rotowire
Hand (2-1) earned the win in Wednesday's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings.
Hand got the Rockies out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the seventh inning, inducing a double play off the bat of Rodolfo Castro. The lefty then set the Pirates down in order in the eighth after the Rockies took the lead in the top half of the frame. The 33-year-old has pitched well of late, posting three consecutive scoreless appearances. His ERA is down to 3.14 with a 1.26 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB through 14.1 innings. Hand is still behind Pierce Johnson and Daniel Bard in the closer pecking order, though he's continued to pitch in high-leverage situations for Colorado.
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Rockies' Brad Hand: Solid start to season
Rotowire
Hand allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning Sunday against the Mariners.
Hand entered the game with runners at first and second in the bottom of the sixth inning and allowed the game-winning hit to the first batter he faced. While he had a poor outcome Sunday, Hand has pitched well to start the season as he has been charged with only one earned run across 5.2 innings while also maintaining 9:4 K:BB. His control leaves room for improvement, but he has still been one of the most reliable high-leverage relievers for Colorado early on.
Hand allowed one earned run on one hit and one walk while striking out one across one inning Friday against the Padres.
Hand made his Rockies debut and entered the game in the eighth inning with a four-run lead. He allowed the first two batters he faced to reach base, but he then retired the next three hitters to mitigate the damage. With Daniel Bard (not injury related) sidelined, saves are up for grabs in Colorado, though Pierce Johnson converted the opportunity Friday and appears to be getting the first chance to close.
Hand is planning to introduce a cutter to his arsenal this season, Jack Magruder of MLB.com reports.
Hand signed with the Rockies on Saturday and should immediately fill a high-leverage role out of the bullpen. He's relied on a combination of his fastball and slider for the last several seasons, though he's now prepared to add a third pitch to that mix. Hand reportedly worked on the cutter in bullpen sessions during the 2022 campaign, but he did not throw any in game action.
The Rockies signed Hand to a one-year, $2 million contract Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Hand, coming off a 45-inning, 2.80-ERA campaign with the Phillies, finally has a home for the 2023 season. The Rockies don't project to win many games, but the left-hander could have some opportunities for holds and/or saves. It's unclear how built-up Hand is, or whether he'll be ready for Opening Day. The contract includes a $7 million club option for 2024.
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Phillies' Brad Hand: Ready for playoffs
Rotowire
Hand (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday and is on the Phillies' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Cardinals, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The veteran left-hander landed on the shelf with elbow tendinitis Sept. 22, but he's back with the team for the wild-card round. Hand finished the regular season with 13 holds, five saves and a 2.80 ERA over 45 innings.
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Phillies' Brad Hand: Aiming for playoffs return
Rotowire
Hand (elbow) thew a 25-pitch bullpen session Monday and is scheduled to face live hitters Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
It is beginning to look more and more like Hand will rejoin the Phillies for their wild-card series, assuming they maintain their position in the standings. Hand hasn't pitched since Sept. 20, when he gave up three earned runs over just one-third of an inning against Toronto.
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Phillies' Brad Hand: Out with elbow issue
Rotowire
Hand was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Sept. 22, with left elbow tendinitis.
Hand hasn't pitched since he surrendered four runs (three earned) over one-third of an inning Sept. 20 versus Toronto, and he'll now be unavailable for the next couple weeks. The veteran left-hander will miss the rest of the regular season but will be eligible to return early in the playoffs, should the Phillies qualify.
Hand struck out one in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Pirates on Friday.
After giving up two runs and blowing a save in his last outing, Hand bounced back to pick up his first save since July 8. He lowered his ERA to 1.86 alongside a 32:20 K:BB through 47 appearances this season. Hand has been tagged with just one earned run over his last 12.2 frames.
