The Rockies on Wednesday let go of veteran catcher Michael McKenry and lost a relief pitcher when the Dodgers claimed right-hander Brooks Brown off waivers.
McKenry cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent. The Rockies also outrighted right-handed relievers Simon Castro and Gonzalez Germen to Triple-A Albuquerque.
McKenry shined as the Rockies’ backup catcher the past two seasons, first behind Wilin Rosario in 2014, then as Nick Hundley’s No. 2 this year. But to repair a meniscus tear in his right leg, ended McKenry’s season.
That allowed the Rockies to call-up rookie catchers Tom Murphy and Dustin Garneau. It’s likely they will be in the mix for the Rockies’ backup catching spot in spring.
Brown, 30, a first-round pick of the Diamondbacks in 2006, made his major-league debut last season for the Rockies on his way to an impressive 2.77 ERA over 26 innings pitched. But this season, Brown’s ERA fell to 4.91.
The Rockies allowed a promising relief arm to exit. Brown had a 4.12 ERA over two seasons. And he started this season with four scoreless appearances, over 4 2/3 innings.
Brown’s struggles late in the season — he allowed three runs on four hits in an inning of relief on Sept. 21 against the Pirates — seemed tied to his lingering shoulder inflammation injury.
It’s too late for the Dodgers to add Brown to their postseason roster. L.A. released right-hander Jim Johnson to create roster space for Brown. The Dodgers also have former Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio in their bullpen, although he’s not on their active playoff roster.
