The Rockies announced Wednesday that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Jordan Lyles, avoiding salary arbitration.
The Rockies will not tender contracts to left-handed pitchers Yohan Flande, Jason Gurka, and outfielder Rosell Herrera for the 2016 season. Those three now become free agents.
The Rockies’ 40-man roster now sits at 37.
As expected, the club will tender 2016 contracts to their four remaining arbitration-eligible players: right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino, second baseman DJ LeMahieu, outfielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who could be in line to make more than $6.5 million.
Lyles, 25, will be counted on to add depth to the rotation and is penciled in as a full-time starter. He began 2015 season in the rotation, but made just 10 starts before suffering a season-ending injury. He was placed on the disabled list on June 1 with a medial collateral ligament injury in his left big toe that required season-ending surgery. Lyles went 2-5 with a 5.14 ERA, with 30 strikeouts and 19 walks.
Flande, 29, provided a surprising ray of hope during Colorado’s 94-loss season. He made 19 appearances (10 starts), going 3-3 with a 4.74 ERA, with 43 strikeouts and 25 walks.
Herrera, 23, spent the 2015 season in High-A Modesto, where he played outfield in 123 games, and also played one game at shortstop. He hit .260 with 20 doubles, six triples, four home runs, 36 RBIs and nine stolen bases.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or @psaundersdp
