ST. LOUIS -- The Rockies' search for bullpen improvements has landed them veteran right-hander Pat Neshek, who was acquired from the Phillies on Wednesday night for three prospects currently at Class A.Neshek, who turns 37 on Sept. 4 and will wear No. 37, is 3-2 with a 1.12 ERA in 43 games, appeared in the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard earlier this month. Neshek, who also represented the Cardinals in the 2014 Midsummer Classic, is averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings and just 1.1 walks per nine.
"It's exciting," Neshek said. "You jump right into a playoff race. That's a great team, great offense."The Rockies, who hold one of the National League Wild Card spots, also received cash considerations in the trade, which came toward the end of Wednesday's 10-5 loss to the Cardinals and well before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline.In the final year of a three-year, $18.5 million contract, Neshek brings postseason experience, with the Twins (2006), Athletics (2012), Cardinals (2014) and Astros (2015). He displayed his funky low-sidearm delivery for Rockies manager Bud Black with the Padres in 2011. Over 11 seasons with six teams, he is 31-21 with a 2.76 ERA and eight saves in 466 appearances."He's got different weapons with the fastball, the breaking ball and the changeup," Black said. "He's a strike-thrower. He's a veteran guy that can work his way through an inning or a situation, whatever that might be."Neshek joins a bullpen that has no postseason experience outside of lefty Jake McGee (Rays, 2011 and 2013), lefty Mike Dunn (Braves, 2010) and closer Greg Holland, who appeared in the World Series with the Royals in 2014; Holland was out with an elbow injury when the Royals won the World Series in 2015.The Rockies have also transferred left-handerTyler Anderson to the 60-day disabled list with inflammation in his left knee, which led to a cleanup surgery. Anderson hasn't pitched since injuring the knee on June 25.Thomas Harding / MLB.com
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