Braves acquire Hand from Rockies

The Atlanta Braves have acquired left-handed reliever Brad Hand from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for pitching prospect Alec Barger, the teams announced.

Hand boosts a Braves bullpen that's already been among the best in baseball this year. He gives manager Brian Snitker a second late-inning southpaw option alongside A.J. Minter.

He's the second reliever acquired by the Braves this month following the addition of Pierce Johnson, who also started the season in Colorado. Atlanta will also likely get veteran right-hander Jesse Chavez back from the injured list at some point in August.

The 33-year-old posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 41 strikeouts and 16 walks in 40 appearances for the Rockies this year. He's been stellar against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .143 average and .480 OPS in 59 plate appearances this year.

Hand is earning $2 million this season. He comes with a club option for 2024.

Atlanta will be Hand's ninth team and his fifth NL East franchise. The three-time All-Star owns a lifetime 3.66 ERA, 3.80 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP with 764 strikeouts and 131 saves in 13 big-league seasons.

Barger, 25, was originally drafted by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 2019 draft. The right-hander owns a 3.29 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 21 walks in 30 relief appearances with Double-A Mississippi this season.