Rockies sign reliever Hand for bullpen role

The Rockies found a veteran to plug a hole in their bullpen, signing left-hander Brad Hand to a one-year contract Saturday.

The 32-old-old three-time All-star agreed to a $2 million contract, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported. Another $1 million bonus is available for Hand if he is still with the Rockies organization on opening day.

Hand takes the place of Lucas Gilbreath, who’s slated to undergo Tommy John surgery after re-aggravating an elbow injury in spring training.

“Hand is a veteran lefthanded pitcher who has had success in the league,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “We are looking for him to help us later in the game.”

Hand pitched effectively last season for Philadelphia on a one-year, $6 million contract, going 3-2 with five saves and a 2.80 ERA over 55 appearances. Left-handed batters hit just .217 against him, while right-handed batters posted a .226 average.

A second-round pick of the Marlins in 2008, the Minneapolis native has compiled 131 saves and a 3.62 ERA over a 12-season career that’s included stops with Miami (2011-15), San Diego (2016-18), Cleveland (201820), Washington (2021), New York Yankees (2021), Toronto (2021) and the Phillies last season. His 129 saves between 2017-’22 are the seventh most in MLB.

During the offseason, Colorado claimed left-hander Brent Suter off waivers from Milwaukee and then signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal.

To make room for Hand, the Rockies placed righthanded reliever Tyler Kinley on the 60-day injured list. Kinley pitched extremely well last season, posting a 0.75 ERA in 25 games, before undergoing surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Kinley will miss the first half of the season.

On the mound

Right-hander German Marquez, working his way back from a sore hamstring, made his first Cactus League showing and pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one walk and fanning two.

Lefty Kyle Freeland got the start and rebounded from a rough first spring start. Freeland held the Mariners scoreless through three innings, allowing three hits while walking one and striking out two.

At the plate

Infielder Alan Trejo hit his first home run of spring, parking a pitch in the second inning. Outfield prospects Zac Veen and Brenton Doyle both had RBI singles and stole a base. Veen also reach base on an error and stole three bases. He now has seven steals.

Up next

Cubs (5-4) at Rockies (44), 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Salt River Fields.

Rockies probable pitchers

LHP Austin Gomber, RHP Connor Seabold, LHP Brent Suter, RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Logan Allen.