With their postseason aspirations soaring, the Rockies made a pair of major moves Thursday designed to stabilize their shaky bullpen.
Seeking a veteran who won’t cringe in the face of late-inning pressure, the Rockies acquired right-hander Rafael Betancourt from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Single-A right-hander Connor Graham.
The Rockies also called up right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, the organization’s top pitching prospect, from Double-A Tulsa to bolster a relief corps that has a 4.86 ERA, 14th in the National League.
Betancourt, 34, will likely become the primary setup man for closer Huston Street, replacing Manuel Corpas, scheduled to undergo surgery today to have floating bone chips removed from his elbow. Chacin should be available tonight.
The Rockies will need to clear a roster spot for Betancourt once he reports this weekend. They aren’t sure if he’ll be available for tonight’s game against the Giants.
Betancourt went 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 29 appearances for the Indians this season. He has held opponents to one run and two hits in four innings since July 9, when he was activated after spending six weeks on the disabled list with a strained right groin.
“There was a limited market for relievers, but we feel like we got a good pitcher,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “With relievers, you just never know how it will play out, but he’s got a pretty good track record the last five years.”
Betancourt was outstanding in 2007, going 5-1 with a 1.48 ERA in 68 appearances, helping the Indians win the American League Central. Last season, however, he went 3-4 with a 5.07 ERA in 69 games.
“He was very good two years ago, but he struggled some last year,” O’Dowd said. “But he’s a good character guy and a tireless worker. He’ll fit in well here.”
O’Dowd said Betancourt’s groin injury is no longer a problem. But one concern, O’Dowd admitted, is that Betancourt is “something of a flyball pitcher.” That doesn’t usually project well at Coors Field.
Betancourt was informed of the trade Thursday after the Indians’ 5-4 victory at Toronto.
“This is part of the game. It’s time for me to leave,” he told reporters. “It’s a sad moment for me right now, but I have to be a professional and keep playing.”
The Rockies will assume the remainder of Betancourt’s $3.35 million salary for 2009. Betancourt also has a $5.4 million club option for 2010, which the Indians said they would not exercise.
As for promoting Chacin, O’Dowd said: “This is something that has been in the back of our minds all year. We knew that if we needed some pitching, and couldn’t find it from outside, that Chacin would be an option. The important thing is his ability to throw strikes. We think he can do that for us.”
Chacin, a starter for the Drillers, is 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 103 1/3 innings. He struck out 86 and walked 35. O’Dowd said that initially Chacin will be used in a long-relief role.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
