PHILADELPHIA -- An eventful week for Brad Hand continued on Thursday, when the Nationals traded the veteran reliever to the Blue Jays in exchange for Minor League catcher Riley Adams.

Pitching for the third time in as many days on Tuesday, Hand locked down his 21st save of the season in a 6-4 victory over the Phillies. That came after the three-time All-Star had recorded a blown save and allowed back-to-back walk-offs on Sunday and Monday.

Overall, Hand posted a 3.59 ERA in 41 appearances for the Nationals after signing a one-year, $10.5 million deal this offseason. The 31-year-old lefty had a 2.54 ERA in his first 37 appearances before hitting that rough patch over the last week.

“I’ve got all the trust in the world in him, I really do,” manager Dave Martinez said after Tuesday’s save. “A couple of blown saves isn’t going to change how I feel about him.”

As for the Nationals' return in the deal, Adams was ranked the No. 17 prospect in the Blue Jays' system. The 25-year-old catcher had a .239/.371/.487 slash line with seven homers in 35 games for Triple-A Buffalo this season. Adams made his MLB debut on June 8, going 3-for-28 (.107) across 12 games with the Blue Jays.

The decision to part with their closer on the eve of the Trade Deadline is the first official indication that the Nats (46-54) are entertaining offers for potential trade candidates. They entered Thursday’s doubleheader eight games back of the first-place Mets in the National League East -- and 11 games back of the final NL Wild Card spot.