Hand allowed one hit and two walks but secured his first save of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Twins. He recorded one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The Twins registered only one hit and one walk through the first eight innings Saturday, but Byron Buxton's double to start the ninth inning put Hand in a difficult position. Thankfully the 28-year-old was able to work himself out of the jam, but it was nonetheless a rocky start to the season for the left-hander.

Hand was confirmed as Cleveland's closer by manager Terry Francona on Saturday, Nick Camino of Newsradio WTAM 1100 reports.

EDGE Analysis

The announcement is hardly a surprise, as Hand is clearly the best reliever in Francona's bullpen. The Indians haven't been afraid to use their best reliever earlier in the game in the past few years, thanks to Andrew Miller's flexibility, but the team still had a dedicated closer in Cody Allen during that time. With both of those pitchers now gone, Hand will be called on to fill Allen's role, not Miller's.

Hand struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning against the Royals on Wednesday to secure his 32nd save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

It was a nice bounce-back outing from Hand after he allowed a run in a non-save situation Tuesday. The 28-year-old southpaw has now converted all eight of his save chances for the Indians, posting a shiny 1.86 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 19.1 innings with Cleveland in the process. Hand remains locked in as the top option for saves in Cleveland at the moment, with Cody Allen working the eighth inning Wednesday.

Hand picked up his 31st save of the season Friday against the Rays, striking out one across a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Hand needed just 10 pitches (seven strikes) to secure his second save in as many days. The left-hander has been lights out since joining the Indians from the Padres via trade July 19, converting all six of his save chances while compiling a 1.24 ERA and 24:7 K:BB across 17.2 innings for Cleveland.

Hand allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out three in the ninth inning of Thursday's game against the Twins as he collected the save.

EDGE Analysis

Hand surrendered a solo homer to begin the ninth frame, and after allowing the tying run to the plate, he managed to fan the final two batters on eight pitches. The 28-year-old has given up just three earned runs in 16 appearances (16.2 innings) since being traded from the Padres to the Indians on July 19.

Hand struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday in Boston en route to his fifth save with the Indians (29th of the season).

EDGE Analysis

Cody Allen picked up the save while allowing a run Monday, but he threw 28 pitches in that appearance. While Hand also pitched Monday, he only threw nine pitches, and with the lefty-hitting Andrew Benintendi leading off the ninth inning Tuesday, it made sense for the Indians to turn to the fresher southpaw over Allen. It seems clear that Allen and Hand will continue to get save opportunities, at least in the short term. With Hand pitching on back-to-back days, Allen would likely get the ball if a save situation arises Wednesday.

Hand gave up one hit and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning Monday against the Red Sox. He picked up his fifth hold of the season.

EDGE Analysis

Hand came in for matchup purposes after Adam Cimber struck out Ian Kinsler for the first out of the eighth inning. Cody Allen was clearly being reserved for the save situation, with the Indians taking a 5-3 lead to the ninth inning. Allen gave up one run, but secured his 25th save. Hand should still get the occassional save opportunity when matchups and usage patterns call for it, but Allen is the best bet for saves in Cleveland's bullpen.

Hand surrendered one run on two hits while striking out one as he slammed the door in the ninth for the save Sunday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Hand allowed the tying run to reach base, but he'd strike out David Fletcher to end the game. Since joining the Indians from the Padres, Hand has given up two runs over eight innings, and he figures to continue to serve as a high-leverage reliever moving forward. He owns a 2.92 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 73 punchouts across 52.1 frames.

Hand allowed a hit and a walk in 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his second save with Cleveland in a 2-0 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Cody Allen got a four-out save Tuesday, leaving Hand to handle closing duties in this one. The back end of the Cleveland bullpen is increasingly looking like a time share between the two, an arrangement which would restrict the fantasy value of both relievers if it continues.

Hand was traded to Cleveland alongside Adam Cimber in exchange for Francisco Mejia on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hand immediately bolsters a major area of need for the Indians, as the bullpen has clearly been the club's Achilles' heel this year. Through 41 appearances with the Padres this year, Hand sported a 3.05 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 24 saves in 29 opportunities. In addition, he's logged 65 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. It remains to be seen whether Hand will displace Cody Allen as Cleveland's ninth-inning man, though it's more likely that he's used as a high-leverage reliever in a similar capacity to Andrew Miller (knee). Hand will be under team control through the 2020 season, with a club option for the 2021 campaign.