Phillies Acquire Nolan Hoffman from Rangers for Bullpen Help

The Philadelphia Phillies have added another veteran bullpen arm, adding right-handed pitcher Nolan Hoffman from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations.

Nolan Hoffman’s Dominant Triple-A Performance

This season at Triple-A Round Rock, the 27-year-old has appeared in 22 games (3 starts) and has 46 strikeouts in 35.0 innings pitched. Hoffman has been a big strikeout pitcher at the triple-A level; he has averaged 11.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (123 SO/93.0 IP) over the past two seasons.

In seven minor league seasons, Hoffman has 23 saves.

He has been optioned to AAA Lehigh Valley and will start his Phillies career out pitching out of the bullpen for the Iron Pigs.

So can he help the Phillies at the big league level this season?

That remains to be seen, but it's evident that the organization is trying to add power arms that can help the team in middle relief.

Bullpen Issues Exposed in Recent Game

On Tuesday, the Phillies turned the ball over to their bullpen in the sixth inning, and all three relievers gave up runs with Tanner Banks, Joe Ross, and Michael Mercado pitching the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings.

Phillies Make Another Bullpen Addition

The team also made a trade on May 29, adding left-handed pitcher Josh Walker from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. Walker, 30, is currently pitching at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and in five games has an 8.44 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 5.1 innings pitched.

At the Major League level, this season, Walker had a 7.20 ERA (4 ER, 5.0 IP) and a 2.00 WHIP with eight strikeouts and two walks.