The Rockies are expected to use Chris Nelson in a utility role this season, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding.
Nelson, who had a brief stint as a starter last season before being demoted, is looking to put himself in line for semi-regular starts at second base behind the 36-year-old Marco Scutaro. Out of minor league options, the Rockies would have to expose him to other teams through waivers if he’s unable to make the final roster.
Source: mlb.com
Tagged as: Chris Nelson, news, Rockies
Rockies signed RHP Matt Belisle to a one-year contract extension.
The deal also includes a mutual option for 2014. Financial details are not available at this time. Belisle’s numbers fell back a bit in 2011 from the previous season, but he still had a nice year, posting a 3.25 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while leading all MLB relievers with 10 wins. He’ll help set up for Rafael Betancourt this season.
Tagged as: Matt Belisle, news, Rockies
Jorge De La Rosa told Thomas Harding of MLB.com that he hid his elbow injury from the Rockies last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“It was real cold that day in Pittsburgh, and I felt something in my arm,” said De La Rosa. “I said it was a blister and they took me out of the game. I told them I would be OK. But I was not. It was weakness. The next day, I felt pain when I woke up.” De La Rosa actually made eight more starts with the injury before undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. The Rockies don’t believe that he did any permanent damage by pitching through the pain, but one wonders what the outcome might have been if he was honest about his condition from the outset. De La Rosa is owed $10 million this season and currently aims to return to the Rockies in May or June.
Source: mlb.com
Tagged as: Jorge De La Rosa, news, Rockies
Jorge De La Rosa (elbow) is expected to exclusively throw bullpen sessions during spring training.
De La Rosa is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June. The plan calls for him to begin the season in extended spring training before going out on a minor league rehab assignment. If all goes well, he could be back with the Rockies in May or June. The southpaw is due $10 million this season.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Jorge De La Rosa, news, Rockies
Kevin Millwood has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Millwood was offered a $1 million contract by Colorado before the Winter Meetings but declined it in search of more guaranteed money. No word on how much money he can earn if he makes the major league roster. Prior to Millwood’s deal, the Mariners’ projected rotation included Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, Jason Vargas, Blake Beavan and Hector Noesi, with Charlie Furbush on the outside looking in. Millwood should slot in as the No. 4 starter, with Beavan and Noesi fighting for the last rotation slot. The loser would likely head to the bullpen. If both outperform Millwood, the veteran could be released or be asked to accept a demotion to Triple-A. Millwood, who turned 37 last month, posted a 3.98 ERA and 36/8 K/BB ratio over nine starts with the Rockies this past season. Manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis know Millwood from their time together in Cleveland. At SAFECO, playing in front of a good defense, the veteran could make for a deep sleeper in AL-only drafts.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Kevin Millwood, news, Rockies
Alex White said he is completely recovered from his right middle finger injury.
White was sidelined for three months this past season while recovering from the ailment, and he struggled down the stretch with the Rockies after being activated from the disabled list. The ailment made gripping the ball difficult, but the right-hander evidently is no longer having problems. He’ll compete for a rotation spot in spring training but might be best served getting more seasoning at Triple-A.
Source: denverpost.com
Tagged as: Alex White, news, Rockies
Rockies acquired INF Marco Scutaro from the Red Sox for RHP Clayton Mortensen.
A no-brainer move for the Rox. Scutaro is owed a salary of $6 million in 2012 and is set to hit the free agent market next fall, but the trade will be well worth it if he comes close to putting up the kind of numbers he’s registered in recent seasons with Boston. The 36-year-old batted .299/.358/.423 with seven home runs and 54 RBI in 445 plate appearances last year. He’ll start at second base in 2012 for Colorado.
Tagged as: Marco Scutaro, news, Rockies
Rockies acquired RHP Zach Putnam from the Twins for RHP Kevin Slowey.
The Rockies have built up plenty of starting pitching depth this offseason, so they did well to sell from a strength. Besides, Slowey was a very poor fit for Coors Field. Putnam made eight relief appearances with the Indians last season as a September call-up after posting a 3.65 ERA and 68/23 K/BB ratio over 69 innings in relief with Triple-A Columbus. The 24-year-old right-hander was recently ranked as the Indians’ No. 10 prospect by Baseball America. He should be ready to contribute in the Rockies’ bullpen in 2012.
Tagged as: news, Rockies, Zach Putnam
According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Indians have acquired right-hander Kevin Slowey from the Rockies for right-hander Zach Putnam.
Sounds like the Indians are bracing for the possibility that Fausto Carmona (otherwise known as Roberto Hernandez Heredia) might not be ready for the start of the season. The Rockies just acquired Slowey from the Twins in December after he posted a 6.67 ERA over 59 1/3 innings last season. He avoided arbitration last week by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract. On the bright side, Progressive Field is a much better place for him to get back on track than Coors Field.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Kevin Slowey, news, Rockies
Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that Ryan Spilborghs has agreed to a minor league contract with the Indians.
The deal is pending a physical. Spilborghs is coming off a disappointing 2011 season where he batted just .210/.283/.305 with three home runs and 22 RBI across 223 plate appearances. But, he’s a career .272/.345/.423 hitter, can play all three outfield positions and could give the Indians more balance in their left-handed hitting-heavy outfield. He’ll have to win a bench spot, with Aaron Cunningham likely representing his chief competition (though both could ultimately make the team).
Source: denverpost.com
Tagged as: news, Rockies, Ryan Spilborghs