Blue Jays acquire 3-time all-star pitcher Brad Hand from Nationals
Reuters | Posted: July 29, 2021 6:14 PM | Last Updated: August 23, 2021
Veteran closer led MLB in saves last season
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired veteran closer Brad Hand from the Washington Nationals on Thursday in exchange for Triple-A catcher Riley Adams.
Hand, a three-time All-Star, is 5-5 with 21 saves and a 3.59 ERA in 41 appearances this season. The 31-year-old left-hander also has five blown saves, three of them in July.
His career totals include a 31-48 record, 126 saves and a 3.65 ERA in 437 games (43 starts) with the Florida/Miami (2011-15), San Diego (2016-18), Cleveland (2018-20) and Washington. He led the majors with 16 saves last season.
Adams, 25, made his MLB debut on June 8 and was considered the best power-hitting prospect in Toronto's system by Baseball America. The Blue Jays drafted him in the third round in 2017.
Adams batted .107 (3-for-28) with two doubles and 12 strikeouts in 12 games with the Blue Jays this season. He hit .239 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs in 35 games for Triple-A Buffalo.
The Nationals also recalled outfielder Yadiel Hernandez from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday. Hernandez, 33, is hitting .253 with two homers and six RBIs in 57 games with Washington in 2021.