Brad Hand off to a Nice Start with Padres

Brad Hand was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres on Friday.

The 26 year-old lefthander spent his entire career with the Marlins organization.

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“[I’m] just excited for a fresh start, to get over here,” Hand said. “I’ve spent my whole time with the Marlins. I got drafted by them in 2008 and been with them ever since. It’s a little new for me, going to a new team, new organization. But I’m excited for the opportunity here and grateful they wanted me.” (Padres.com)

Manager Andy Green has been a little anxious to use Hand.

“He’s pitched in long relief, he’s pitched specialized at times,” said Andy Green after Hand signed. “He’s about eight days since his last outing, we’d like to get him [on] the mound as quickly as possible here. (Padres.com)

Hand has pitched in three games since his arrival in San Diego. He has not allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings and has one strikeout. He has allowed one hit.

As of Wednesday, the Padres bullpen is 23^rd in the majors with a 4.76 ERA. The starting pitching has not fared any better, going 1-5 with a 6.48 ERA (27^th in the majors).

Although, Hand has not been a lights out reliever, it never hurts to add more depth and bodies. The Padres might wonder how he can hit.

In 92 career games, Hand is 9-25 with a 4.68 ERA. Last season he pitched in a career high 38 games, going 4-7 with a 5.30 ERA.

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Hand is a native of Chaska, MN. He was selected in the second round of the 2008 draft and made his major league debut on June 7, 2011. With several roles in the bullpen still up for grabs and a starting rotation that with one injury to Tyson Ross seems paper thin, Hand is a nice option to have on both sides of the starting/relieving fence for the Padres.