Charlie Culberson. (Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Charlie Culberson, who missed a chunk of Rockies spring training camp with a back injury, on Tuesday was optioned to Triple-A.
Culberson suffered a bulging disc in his back early in spring and missed more than two weeks. In his place, Rafael Ynoa played well enough for an outside shot at a utility infield spot on the Rockies roster behind Daniel Descalso.
“The thing with Charlie is, he’s very talented. He’s got some tools that you don’t always see in that role — there’s power and speed and defense,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s a matter of tightening things up offensively. But there’s a lot to like there.”
Culberson, 25, a first-round pick by the Giants in 2007, hit .195 in 210 at-bats over 91 games last season in a reserve role, in part filling in for Troy Tulowitzki. It was Culberson’s second season with the Rockies.
“He’s still a young guy. We feel like there’s some development ahead of him,” Weiss said.
There are now 28 players on the Rockies’ active roster. They have until 3 p.m. MT Sunday to cut their roster to 25.
Rockies trade
The Rockies also traded minor-league catcher Audry Perez to the Orioles for cash considerations. Perez hit .091 in 11 at-bats over eight games this spring.
Tags: Audry Perez, Charlie Culberson, Daniel Descalso, Rafael Ynoa
