BRAD HAND NEWS

Part of closer committee Hand is expected to be part of a closer committee for the foreseeable future after interim manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that Corey Knebel has been removed from the ninth-inni...

Impact The closing change comes after Knebel blew his fourth save of the season in Tuesday's 11-9 loss to the Marlins while walking two batters and allowing three unearned runs. Thomson didn't explicitly say which relievers would be part of the closing committee while Knebel is used in lower-leverage spots, but Hand and Seranthony Dominguez look to be the top two candidates to pick up saves. Hand, who has nabbed only one save in 2022 but recorded no fewer than 16 saves in any of the past five seasons, has been dependable in a setup role thus far for Philadelphia, accruing a 1.96 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB in 18.1 innings.

JUNE 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Miller's 2-run single in 10th leads Rangers past Phillies

Brad Miller hit a two-run single in the 10th inning to give the Texas Rangers a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies

MAY 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches save against Mets Hand picked up his first save of the season in Monday's 5-4 win over the Mets, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact The veteran southpaw was called in to face the team he ended his 2021 campaign with after a five-run rally by the Phillies in the bottom of the eighth, and Hand got the job done in style. Corey Knebel (illness) wasn't available Monday, but he isn't expected to be sidelined for long, so Hand's window for save chances is likely a short one. He appears to Joe Girardi's top option behind Knebel, however, not a surprising development considering Hand's 127 career saves.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bohm apologizes for F-bomb, errors after Phillies top Mets

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APRIL 12, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Velocity down in spring games Hand has sat around 90 to 91 mph with his fastball this spring, below his average of 93 mph last season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's possible this is nothing to worry about, as pitchers are frequently below their usual velocity numbers in spring, due either to their lack of adrenaline in exhibition contests or to the fact that they're still building up to full strength. This year's shortened spring training could make that an even more common problem. Still, the Phillies would certainly prefer to see Hand at his usual velocity as soon as possible. His chances of overtaking Corey Knebel on the closer depth chart would take a hit if he's unable to get back to the 93 mph range.

APRIL 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Juan Soto's present, future mean most in 2022 for Nationals

No one matters as much for the Washington Nationals in 2022 and beyond than Juan Soto

MARCH 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP source: Castellanos, Phillies agree to $100M, 5-year deal

Free-agent slugger Nick Castellanos and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a $100 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations

MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Phillies bolster bullpen with additions of Hand, Familia

The Phillies finalized one-year contracts with right-handed reliever Jeurys Familia and left-handed reliever Brad Hand

MARCH 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reaches deal with Phils Hand agreed Monday with the Phillies on a one-year, $6 million contract, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact One of the top lefty relievers who was available on the open market, Hand ultimately landed with the fourth different NL East team of his career after stops with the Marlins, Mets and Nationals. With 121 career saves on his ledger, Hand immediately becomes the most accomplished reliever in the bullpen, but because he'll be making $4 million less than fellow free-agent pickup Corey Knebel, the former could be second in line for saves. Phillies manager Joe Girardi could also choose to use the two relievers as part of a loose closer committee, with the southpaw Hand and right-handed Knebel both representing appealing options against opposite-handed hitters. While the transaction makes handicapping the Phillies' closer situation a more difficult endeavor, the offseason additions of Hand and Knebel (and longtime Mets setup man Jeurys Familia) undoubtedly strengthen the bullpen, which has been a major trouble spot for the team in recent years.

MARCH 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hernandez expected to start for the Marlins against Mets

The Mets will send Taijuan Walker to the mound Wednesday and the Marlins plan to give Elieser Hernandez the start

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Syndergaard sharp in brief return, Mets take 2 from Marlins

Noah Syndergaard looked sharp in his brief but long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery, and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 in nine innings for a doubleheader swee...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brewers hit 3 HRs, get strong outing from Lauer to down Mets

The Milwaukee Brewers hit three home runs and Eric Lauer turned in a much-needed strong outing in a 5-1 win over the New York Mets

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lindor's 3rd homer lifts Mets whistling past Yanks 7-6

Francisco Lindor broke an eighth-inning tie with his third homer, sending a drive whistling into the right-field seats after a pitch tipping spat with Giancarlo Stanton, and the Me...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up hold in Mets debut Hand gave up two hits in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning to record his first hold of the season during an 11-9 win over the Nationals in the first game of Saturday's doublehead...

Impact Facing the team he started the year with, Hand wasn't exactly effective when he relieved Miguel Castro in the sixth inning and allowed two inherited runners to score, but he was able to coax an inning-ending double play out of Ryan Zimmerman before he took any damage to his own ERA. Including his brief stint with the Blue Jays between his Nats and Mets tenures, Hand has an 8.40 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB through 15 innings since the All-Star break, and he's unlikely to see much high-leverage work with New York.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mets claim 3-time All-Star reliever Brad Hand from Blue Jays

Looking to bolster their bullpen for a late-season playoff push, the New York Mets have claimed reliever Brad Hand off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mets claim reliever Brad Hand off waivers from Blue Jays The move comes two days after Toronto designated the closer for assignment, where he registered a 7.27 ERA since being acquired by the Blue...

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Mets place Scott on paid leave, acting GM pleads not guilty

Acting general manager Zack Scott has been placed on administrative leave by the New York Mets following his arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mets claim Brad Hand off waivers from Blue Jays to bolster bullpen for playoff push A target during the off-season, Brad Hand is now on the Mets to try and lift the team into a playoff spot.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • NORTHJERSEY.COM

Claimed by Mets Hand was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Impact Hand was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade with the Nationals at the deadline but spent barely over a month with the team before being designated for assignment. The veteran lefty owns a mediocre 4.21 ERA on the season, including a 7.27 mark across 11 appearances after moving to Toronto, but he was very effective over the previous five seasons, posting a 2.70 ERA over that stretch. The current version of Hand shouldn't be pitching in high-leverage situations, but there's still potential here for him to serve as one of Edwin Diaz's top deputies if the Mets can get him back on track.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Akin wins consecutive starts, leads Orioles past Jays 4-2

Keegan Akin allowed one run through five innings and won consecutive starts for the first time, Ramón Urías hit a go-ahead double in the sixth inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blue Jays cut lefty Brad Hand one month after acquiring him The Toronto Blue Jays have cut struggling lefty reliever Brad Hand.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM

LEADING OFF: Time for September call-ups, but not too many

Major League Baseball teams can now expand their rosters, but there’s something different about September call-ups this season — clubs can add just two players

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blue Jays cut LHP Brad Hand 1 month after acquiring him

The Toronto Blue Jays have cut struggling lefty reliever Brad Hand

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kaitlyn McGrath: - The Blue Jays have designated Brad Hand for... - The Athletic - The Blue Jays have designated Brad Hand for assignment, signalling the end of his month with the team following his trade from the Nationa...

AUGUST 31, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Designated for assignment Hand was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Impact Hand was eligible to return from the bereavement list, but the Blue Jays elected not to clear a spot for him on the active roster. It's quite the fall from grace for the veteran lefty, who has 126 saves to his name, including 21 this season. All of his saves this year came prior to being traded from Washington to Toronto. He's been quite poor as a Blue Jay, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) in 8.2 innings while striking out just five batters, though his past success means he still has a good chance of being claimed off waivers.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE