The Rockies have appointed a starter José Urena for the task, tweets DNVR Sports’ Suzie Hunter. The move creates a spot on the active list for the expected recovery of Germany Marquez off the injured list for 15 days tomorrow. Colorado’s 40-person list is down to 39.
Ureña spent two seasons in Colorado. He first signed a minor league contract with Rox last May. The club added him to the list of major leagues in early July. The undercover pitcher started 17 big games last season, pitching to an ERA of 5.14 in 89 thirds innings. While Ureña punched only 15.2% of opposing players, he kept the ball on the ground for more than half of the balls hit he surrendered.
It wasn’t a hugely successful endeavor, though the 31-year-old has performed well enough for Colorado’s main office. The Rockies re-signed him to a one-year, free-agent deal worth $3.5 million at the start of the season. That deal, which also includes a team option for the ’24 campaign, ensures that he gets another hit in the season-opening rotation.
Things did not turn out the way the organization expected. Ureña has been tagged with 22 runs over 18 1/3 frames in his first five starts. He has a horrendous 9:14 strike-to-walk ratio and is making swing shots on 7.2% of the worst pitches of his career. This year’s 44.3% platform rate is also down a few points from his usual rate. He failed to make it past five innings in any of his five opening games, which Colorado lost.
The struggles were clear enough for the Rockies to move from Ureña just weeks into the season. He has more than enough service time to turn down the optional quest for minor leagues. The only way to remove him from the MLB roster is by DFA, which will almost certainly involve eating the rest of his contract.
Other clubs are unlikely to exchange or claim Urea and assume that about $3 million is left in his deal. He’s a virtual padlock to achieving agency freedom—either by firing him or by refusing to resign entirely—within the next week. Chances are, he’ll be looking at minor league offers at that point.
Rox will welcome Márquez back before a rotation that includes Kyle Freeland, Austin Gomber And Ryan Feltner. permission Noah Davis filled out Márquez’s name while he was sitting on a shelf with a slight strain in his forearm. Antonio Senzatelawho has been out of action since last summer due to an ACL tear, began his rehabilitation with Triple-A Albuquerque tonight and will be back in the pro league in the next few weeks.
