The 28-year-old was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Sam McWilliams, the D-backs announced Saturday. In those 16 appearances, McWilliams has posted a record of 2-5 with a 4.19 ERA while striking out just under five batters per nine innings and walking 1.7 per nine. The Phillies rotation now comprises of Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickoff.
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Hellickson, 28, struggled in his one season in Arizona, posting a 4.62 ERA in 27 starts.
He was initially acquired by the Diamondbacks a year ago (November 14th) today from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for two minor leaguers.
In six years in the major leagues, Hillickson is 49-48 with a 3.94 ERA.
Only 28, Hellickson figures to have good years ahead of him if he does stay healthy and regains much of the effectiveness that led him to American League Rookie of the Year in 2011.
Jeremy Hellickson has been traded to the Phillies.
Although joining a club that lost a MLB-high 99 games in 2015, Hellickson figures to be extra motivated next season because he can become a free agent next fall. He made $4.275 million in 2015 and is salary-arbitration eligible. The Phillies will look to add someone to the back end of the rotation.
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The addition of Hellickson means one less starting pitcher the Phillies need to acquire in free agency. The right-hander was an eighth round selection for Philadelphia in the 2014 draft, and went 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven starts for the Phillies’ rookie level team. They previously claimed righthanded reliever Dan Otero off waivers from the Oakland Athletics and signed lefthanded reliever James Russell to a minor-league contract.
