ATLANTA (AP) — Left-hander 's $7 million mutual option was declined Sunday by the Atlanta Braves, allowing the reliever to become a free agent.
Hand gets a $500,000 buyout as part of a contract that wound up paying him $4 million.
The 33-year-old three-time All-Star was acquired from Colorado on Aug. 1 and went 2-2 with a 7.50 ERA in 20 games for the Braves. The option originally was a team option but became mutual because of the trade.
Hand was 5-3 with a 5.53 ERA overall in 60 games this year. His base salary escalated from $1.