In a quirky and at times controversial annual tweak to baseball’s rules, the size of a roster expands on Sept. 1, leaving teams the option of adding any player on their 40-man roster to a gameday roster. In all other months, teams are capped at 25 players.
So the Rockies on Friday called up a plethora of reinforcements, adding three pitchers and three position players. The additions crowded Colorado’s clubhouse.
“I wouldn’t say a plethora,” manager Bud Black said. “A plethora is huge. We have six. I think 10 is a plethora in baseball.”
The Rockies used the call-ups on familiar names, highlighted by rookie right-handed starter and prospect infielder Ryan McMahon. The call-ups also included relievers and Zac Rosscup, catcher and outfielder Mike Tauchman. All six players previously appeared this season for the Rockies.
Estevez, a 24-year-old right-hander, has the most big-league experience, having pitched in 21 games this season and having closed games last season. But as he has worked out control issues, the Rockies put Estevez on an elevator ride between the majors and minor leagues.
McMahon, a 22-year-old utility infielder, played in three games last month in his first call-up, but he struggled as a pinch-hitter.
Murphy, 26, missed a chance to make the Rockies’ season-opening roster after sustaining a broken hand in a game late in spring training. In eight games with Colorado he had one hit in 20 at-bats.
Pitching changes. Hoffman might make the biggest, earliest impact among call-ups. The Rockies on Friday moved rookie right-hander Antonio Senzatela to the bullpen, scratching him from a scheduled start Sunday.
Instead, the Rockies took advantage of an off-day Thursday to move rookie German Marquez to Sunday. He will pitch against Arizona’s Zack Godley. will likely pitch Monday on regular rest against the Giants at . But Tuesday is now open.
That spot could fall to Hoffman, who struck out eight and walked just one Thursday for Triple-A Albuquerque.
“We’re watching (Rockies games) every night in the dugout,” Hoffman said of his time in the minors. “We’re ready for our number to be called. You have to stay locked in. I’ve got a jersey and I’m ready.”
Footnotes. Hanigan remains on the disabled list with a left groin strain and he will need 4-5 more days of rest, Black said…..LHP Tyler Anderson (knee surgery) returned to the Colorado clubhouse Friday, but he was not activated. He will likely get one more Triple-A appearance after pitching three innings Thursday, with just one hit against him.
Looking ahead
Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (12-11, 3.91 ERA) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (6-3, 4.18), Saturday 6:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet, 850 AM
When Gray returned from a broken foot on June 30, he was still in early-season form, having missed 77 days on the disabled list. But in his first start back, at Arizona, the 25-year-old flew through a victory over the Diamondbacks, striking out a season-high 10 batters and allowing just two runs. He struck out seven in his last outing, a win over the Braves. Corbin, too, is collecting Ks. He struck out eight in a scoreless outing against the Giants earlier this week. He has held Nolan Arenado to a .188 average in 32 career at-bats against him.
Sunday: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (6-7, 3.29) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (10-5, 4.18), 1:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
Monday: Giants’ LHP Matt Moore (4-13, 5.49) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (0-2, 4.88), 1:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
