The Rockies continued to clear their current shelves and restock their future pitching cupboards as Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline looms.
Colorado traded veteran left-handed reliever Brad Hand to the Braves in exchange for Double-A right-handed reliever Alec Barger, the Rockies announced.
The Rockies also beefed up their bullpen by acquiring left-hander Justin Bruihl from the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations. Bruihl, 26, was designated for assignment last week. He went 1-0 with a 4.07 ERA in 20 appearances for Los Angeles. Bruihl was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Barger, 25, was a 17th-round pick of the Braves in the 2019 draft out of North Carolina State. He’s posted a 3.29 ERA with five saves in 30 outings at Double-A Mississippi this year. Over 38 1/3 innings (30 appearances), he has 48 strikeouts and five saves.
In 111 minor league appearances (19 starts), Barger has is 10-10 with a 4.51 ERA.
Bruihl was originally signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent in 2017. He made his big-league debut in 2021 and he is 2-2 with one save and a 3.65 ERA in 65 outings across three seasons for the Dodgers.
Hand, 33, was signed by Colorado on March 4 to a one-year deal with a club option for 2024. In 40 relief appearances, he’s posted a 4.54 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 16 walks. Hand received a $1 million bonus for making the roster and is making $1.5 million in salary this season.
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