Reliever JD Hammer reportedly signs minor-league deal with Rockies

Hammer Time has come to a close in Philadelphia.

Former Phillies reliever JD Hammer, a recognizable figure for his long hair and thick-rimmed glasses, has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies, according to a report by Thomas Harding of MLB.com.

The 27-year-old right-hander originally began his professional career in the Rockies organization after the team drafted him in the 24th round in 2016. He was traded to the Phillies the next year in a July deal that sent All-Star reliever Pat Neshek to Colorado.

Hammer spent the rest of that season and the entire 2018 season pitching in the minors for the Phillies. He cracked the major leagues in 2019 as the Phillies needed bullpen depth, bouncing between the majors and minors but producing in the bigs with a 3.79 ERA in 20 appearances.

However, Hammer wasn’t a serious consideration for the bullpen in the shortened 2020 season. In fact, he was not even added to the Phillies alternate training site in Lehigh Valley until mid-August and was never promoted to the majors.

He climbed his way back to the majors in 2021, splitting the season between Philadelphia and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He posted a 4.95 ERA in 20 major-league appearances.

The Phillies outrighted Hammer off the 40-man roster following the season, which made him a free agent prior to his new signing.

Overall, Hammer pitched in 40 games over two seasons as a Phillie. He had a 4.38 ERA in 39 innings while striking out 8.1 batters per nine innings.

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