The Washington Nationals have traded left-handed reliever Brad Hand to the Toronto Blue Jays, first reported by Jess Dougherty of The Washington Post.
This marks the first move for the Nationals as MLB's Friday trade deadline fast approaches, after general manager Mike Rizzo signaled Washington — having fallen so far behind in the NL East — will be sellers.
Per Chelsea Janes of The Post, the Nationals will receive 25-year-old catcher Riley Adams in return.
The 6-foot-4 catching prospect was a third-round selection for the Jays in 2017 and made his Major League debut in June, averaging .107 in 30 plate appearances across 12 big-league games. He batted .239 with six doubles, a triple, seven homers and 17 RBI at Triple-A Buffalo in 2021.
Hand was brought in to compete for the closer's role after signing a one-year, $10.5 million deal with Washington in January, but has been somewhat of a disaster for the Nats, pitching to a 3.59 ERA with five blown saves in 26 opportunities.
The Nationals have since confirmed the trade.
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