Rockies Designate Jamie Moyer For Assignment

The Colorado Rockies have designated left-handed starter Jamie Moyer for assignment on Wednesday, according to Tracy Ringolsby of ROOT Sports. Depending on whether the 49-year-old pitcher can catch on somewhere else, this could potentially be the end of a big league career that began all the way back in 1986.

Over ten starts this season, Moyer posted a 5.70 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 18 walks over 53.2 innings while having serious issues with allowing home runs. His fastball averaged just 78.6 miles per hour according to FanGraphs.com, the lowest mark of any pitcher currently qualified for the ERA title by nearly five miles per hour.

Moyer has had quite the career, beginning in 1986 with the Chicago Cubs and ultimately winning 269 games while posting a solid 4.25 ERA. The Rockies now have ten days to determine whether they'll trade him, release him or put him on waivers. If he passes through waivers, Moyer will presumably be given the option of going to Triple-A or becoming a free agent.

To replace Moyer on the roster, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports that the Rockies have promoted Carlos Torres from Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he posted a 2.45 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 13 walks over seven starts. He also adds that manager Jim Tracy will announce the starter for Friday's game on Thursday.

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Rockies Roster Moves 2012: Adam Ottavino Recalled As Rex Brothers Goes To Triple-A Colorado Springs

The Colorado Rockies announced on Sunday afternoon that left-handed relief pitcher Rex Brothers has been demoted to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The corresponding move on the 25-man roster is the recall of right-handed pitcher Adam Ottavino.

Ottavino spent several days with the Rockies earlier in the season, pitching in two games. He struck out four in 2.2 innings, allowing zero runs. He joined the Rockies' organization just before the start of the season after the St. Louis Cardinals had placed him on waivers. Moving from starter to reliever this season, Ottavino has put up a 3.20 ERA in 19.2 innings for Colorado Springs.

Brothers has struggled through this season with a 5.87 ERA and a 2.283 WHIP in 15.1 innings. However, his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) comes in at 2.58 and his BABIP is .500, making some of this outside of his control.

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Chris Nelson Injury: Rockies Infielder Placed On DL With Wrist Injury

Colorado Rockies infielder Chris Nelson has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a wrist injury, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies have added Eric Young Jr. to the active roster after an 11-day stint on the bereavement list to replace Nelson.

A former top prospect, Nelson has struggled to establish himself at the big league level. As a part-time third baseman and utility infielder for Colorado this season, he's hit .219/.313/.288 over 83 plate appearances before going on the disabled list.

For now, the main players at third base will presumably be Jonathan Herrera and Jordan Pacheco. Pacheco is starting at the position for Colorado on Wednesday night against Arizona.

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Rockies Roster Moves 2012: Colorado To Evaluate Eric Young Jr. In Denver

The Colorado Rockies will evaluate Eric Young Jr. in Denver on Wednesday and will then decide whether to activate the outfielder, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

MLB Drug Suspension Overturned: Rockies C Eliezer Alfonzo Has 100-Game PED Ban Lifted

Colorado Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo has already missed 48 games due to a 100-game suspension in September of 2011 for a second violation of the MLB's performance-enhancing substance policy, but Major League Baseball dropped the suspension due to procedural issues similar to the ones that cleared Ryan Braun of any wrongdoing and the 33-year-old backstop is eligible to play immediately, according to a report by the Associated Press (via SI.com). In other words, there were concerns regarding the chain of custody on Alfonzo's PED-positive samples, which likely means there was a plausible dispute over the storage and shipment of his urine samples.

Alfonzo's suspension was dropped without a formal hearing before an arbitrator, and it is unclear whether he will receive back pay for the 48 games he missed due to the ban. The Rockies designated Alfonzo for assignment on May 7, but he reportedly stayed home in Venezuela after being demoted. Alfonza played in 25 games for the Rockies last season and he holds a .240/.271/.377 triple-slash batting line in his six-year major league career.

He was first suspended 50 games for a failed drug test while a member of the San Francisco Giants back in 2008, and he proclaimed his innocence regarding the second positive test in September of 2011, saying he had learned his lesson from the first ban.

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Rockies Roster Moves 2012: Drew Pomeranz Heads To Colorado Springs; Josh Outman Joins Team

On Friday night, the Colorado Rockies announced that left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz was sent down to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox while left-handed pitcher Josh Outman has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list:

#Rockies reinstate LHP Josh Outman from 15-day DL, option LHP Drew Pomeranz to Triple-A. Outman (#88) is available for tonight's game.

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 12, 2012

Outman had been expected to start the season in the majors with the Rockies, but he had an oblique strain just days before the stat of the season, sending him to the DL. The injury came about as result of food poisoning. After a few minor league rehab starts, Outman is now ready to join the Rockies' bullpen, which could use some help with the recent failures from Esmil Rogers and others.

Pomeranz, on the other hand, leaves the Rockies to work out some things while in the minors. He went 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in five starts. He struck out 20 and walked 15 in 23 innings pitched. His demotion now sorts out the rotation for the moment, allowing Christian Friedrich to have another start.

For more on these teams, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Dodgers blog True Blue LA. Check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish for more news and notes around the league.

Rockies Designate C Eliezer Alfonzo For Assignment

On Monday, the Colorado Rockies designated backup catcher Eliezer Alfonzo for assignment, according to the team website. The 33-year-old backstop played in 25 games for the Rockies last season and holds a .240/.271/.377 triple-slash batting line in his six-year major league career, but he was hit with a 100-game suspension in September of 2011 for a second violation of the MLB's performance-enhancing substance policy and is not eligible to return to an MLB lineup until the middle of the 2012 season. Alfonzo was first suspended 50 games for a failed drug test while a member of the San Francisco Giants back in 2008.

The Rockies also recalled right-handed pitcher Alex White from Triple-A Colorado Springs and optioned right-handed pitcher Edgmer Escalona to the minors on Tuesday.

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Rockies Recall RHP Alex White From Triple-A, Option RHP Edgmer Escalona To Colorado Springs

On Tuesday, the Colorado Rockies recalled right-handed pitcher Alex White from Triple-A Colorado Springs and optioned right-handed pitcher Edgmer Escalona to the minor league team in Colorado Springs to make room. White, a 23-year-old prospect who was acquired in the five-player Ubaldo Jimenez trade, is set to make his first major league start of 2012 on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. He was 1-3 in five starts for the team in Colorado Springs, earning a 2.92 ERA to go with eight walks, 21 strikeouts.

As for Escalona, he struggled in his stint with the Rockies, giving up six earned runs in 6.1 innings. He will likely return to his duties as the closer for the Triple-A team in Colorado Springs.

Here is a link to the official press release for the transaction.

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Rockies Roster Moves: Adam Ottavino Recalled; Guillermo Moscoso Sent Down; Eric Young Jr. Placed On Bereavement List

The Colorado Rockies recalled catcher/infielder Jordan Pacheco on Saturday afternoon, but that was just the first of a series of moves the team made. The team also recalled reliever Adam Ottavino from the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. In order to make these moves, the team sent Guillermo Moscoso down to Triple-A and placed Eric Young Jr. on the bereavement list.

Ottavino, picked up off waivers at the start of the season, has worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Sky Sox this season after being a starter his entire time with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. He has a 3.60 ERA in 10 appearances/15 innings with 20 strikeouts and seven walks. He previously appeared in the majors for the Cardinals during the 2010 season, starting three game and making two relief appearances. He put up a 46 ERA+ in 22.1 innings.

Moscoso made two starts for the injured Jeremy Guthrie and allowed 12 runs over two starts (9.1 innings). He saw a 5-0 lead on Friday night disappear into a 6-5 deficit by the time he left in the fifth inning. With Moscoso's demotion and Ottavino's arrival, the team has additional bullpen help, especially after the Rockies used six pitchers in relief on Friday.

With Young off the roster for several days, the Rockies now have an extra player who can also play catcher. This allows backup catcher Wilin Rosario, who played third base last night late in the game, to act as a pinch-hitter should the occasion arise during the iteration of the roster.

For more on these teams, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Braves blog Talking Chop. Head over to Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish for more news and notes around the majors.

Colorado Rockies Roster Moves 2012: Jordan Pacheco Called Up

The Colorado Rockies have recalled Jordan Pacheco from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday. No corresponding move has been announced yet, according to Tracy Ringolsby:

Jordan Pacheco to rejoin Rockies today. Called up from AAA.Who goes down? Rosario? Moscoso? Someone elae?

— Tracy Ringolsby (@ROOTSPORTS_TR) May 5, 2012

Pacheco had made the club out of spring training and played in five games (three starts) before he was sent to the minors. He had two hits in 10 at-bats, one being a triple. However, he displayed shaky defense at third base and the team had Jonathan Herrera and Chris Nelson also vying for playing time with him.

He hit .433 with a 1.106 OPS and three home runs in 17 games for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

For more on these teams, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Braves blog Talking Chop. Head over to Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish for more news and notes around the majors.

Rockies Roster Moves 2012: Carlos Torres Will Be Promoted On Friday, According To Report

The Colorado Rockies will add right-handed pitcher Carlos Torres to the roster on Friday as the corresponding move to Jhoulys Chacin being demoted to Triple-A, reports the Denver Post's Troy Renck:

Have confirmed through #Rockies' source that team will add Carlos Torres on Friday. He pitched well in spring training. Has big league time

— Troy Renck, Rockies (@TroyRenck) May 3, 2012

Torres had been scheduled to start for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Thursday night, but now he will join the Rockies to pitch out of the bullpen for the time being. It remains to be seen if Torres will turn out to be the replacement starter in the rotation for Chacin.

Torres has appeared in 13 games over 2009-10 with a 6.86 ERA in 42 innings pitched. He is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in five Triple-A starts this season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Rockies Prospects 2012: OF Charlie Blackmon Headed To DL With Turf Toe

According to the Sky Sox GameDay Twitter account, Colorado Rockies prospect OF Charlie Blackmon is going to the 7-day DL with turf toe:

#SkySoxMoves: Dallas Tarleton to Modesto, Charlie Blackmon to DL (turf toe), Brandon Roberts added off DL, Brandon Hynick up from extended

— Sky Sox GameDay (@SkySoxGameDay) May 3, 2012

The 26-year-old started the 2012 season with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate, but has yet to find a rhythm. Through 17 games and 71 plate appearances, Blackmon has only 1 home run and a .203/.282/.313 slash.

Blackmon made his major league debut in 2011, collecting 102 plate appearances while hitting only .255/.277/.296 with 1 home run, 5 steals and 1 caught stealing. In the minors in 2011, Blackmon hit a scintillating .342/.396/.576 slash with 10 homers and 12 steals.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Jhoulys Chacin Optioned: Colorado Demotes Struggling Pitcher

The Colorado Rockies have demoted starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin to Triple-A Colorado Springs after he struggled badly in his first five outings of the season, as Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. In announcing the move, the Rockies say they'll make a corresponding roster move before Friday's game.

The best starter for Colorado last season, Chacin insists he's not injured but he simply hasn't looked the same this spring. Other than a solid seven-inning appearance against Milwaukee on April 20, Chacin has struggled in every start he's made for the Rockies this season.

Things have been especially bad over the past two outings, as the 24-year-old has given up 12 runs in 9.2 innings with eight strikeouts and six walks, plus five homers allowed. Hopefully he'll be able to right himself in Triple-A while the Rockies look for better options in the present.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Albert Campos Released: Former Rockies Prospect Had Off Field Incident, According To Report

There is no official word on why the Colorado Rockies released 21-year-old pitching prospect Albert Campos on Wednesday afternoon, but he is still in Venezuela, reports Baseball America. Additionally, Camps reportedly was involved in an off field incident:

According to a source familiar with Campos, he was involved in a physical incident off the field. The details of what transpired aren't clear, though Campos' behavior has been an issue in the past. The release is not believed to have anything to do with issues over Campos' age or identity.

While Campos was not a heralded prospect, he did have some upside; if he does indeed have behavioral problems, it certainly be better for the Rockies to solve that problem by severing ties with him before something else happens.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Rockies Transactions 2012: Colorado Releases 21-Year-old Albert Campos

The Colorado Rockies have released 21-year-old pitching prospect Albert Campos, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus. Goldstein began his tweeted report with a "wow" before noting that the Venezuelan pitcher was once considered to be an intriguing high-upside prospect.

Campos never played for a Rockies affiliate in 2012, but he made 15 starts for Single-A Asheville in 2011. Over 86 innings, he posted a 5.19 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks, but more importantly scouts began to sour on him after his breakout performance in 2010.

After posting a 2.05 ERA in 15 starts for the Casper Ghosts in the Pioneer League, Campos was rated as the best pitching prospect in the entire league by Baseball America in 2010. He was ranked ahead of prospects like Cincinnati's Daniel Corcino and Chicago's Addison Reed.

Basically, Campos was considered a very good prospect going into the 2011 season, and now the Rockies have released him early in the 2012 season. It'll be interesting to see why this happened and how the young Venezuelan's career will play out from here.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Rockies Transactions 2012: Colorado Sends RHP Tyler Chatwood To AAA, Calls Up RHP Edgmer Escalona

The Colorado Rockies made a minor transaction on Tuesday, sending righthanded pitcher Tyler Chatwood down to the triple-A Skysox and recalling RHP Edgmer Escalona to take his place.

#Rockies send RHP Tyler Chatwood to @skysox AAA to groom him as starter. Call up RHP Edgmer Escalona for bullpen

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) April 17, 2012

Related: Rockies Transactions 2012: Drew Pomeranz Activated For Start, Jordan Pacheco Optioned

Chatwood has made four appearances as a reliever for the Rockies; he struck out seven and walked one in eight innings of work and compiled a 5.63 ERA.

Escalona has worked five innings in relief at triple-A this season. He appeared in 14 games with the Rockies in 2011 and had a 1.75 ERA in 25-2/3 innings of work.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Rockies Transactions 2012: Drew Pomeranz Activated For Start, Jordan Pacheco Optioned

Drew Pomeranz, the crown jewel of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade and a major piece of the Colorado Rockies' future, has been activated by the team in anticipation of his start on Sunday vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. In order to clear space on the roster, the Rockies optioned utility infielder Jordan Pacheco to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Charlie Blackmon Injury Update: Rockies Activate OF, Option Him To Colorado Springs

The Colorado Rockies announced on Saturday afternoon that outfielder Charlie Blackmon has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and optioned down to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Blackmon had been on the disabled list due to turf toe on his left big toe.

Blackmon had been in the mix for the Rockies' fourth outfielder spot, but the injury ended any chance of that. With the loss of outfielder Tim Wheeler to a hamate bone injury for at least month, the Sky Sox needed an extra outfielder, making Blackmon his replacement on the roster.

Blackmon appeared in 27 games for the Rockies during the 2011 season, hitting .255/.277/.296 before a right foot fracture in early July sent him to the 60-day disabled list and ended his season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.

Rockies Transactions 2012: Colorado Signs Brian Anderson To Minor League Deal

The Colorado Rockies have agreed to sign former White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson to a minor league contract as a relief pitcher.