Colorado Rockies Activate Motte, Place Logan on DL

We’ve believed for some time now that the Colorado Rockies would activate relief pitcher Jason Motte at some point during their series with the Boston Red Sox. On Wednesday afternoon, that belief turned into reality.

Motte, out since spring training with a shoulder injury, was officially activated prior to the middle game of Colorado’s three-game set with the Red Sox at Fenway Park. To make room on the roster, the Rockies placed Boone Logan on the 15-day disabled list with left shoulder inflammation. The move is retroactive to May 18, the day after the left-hander last pitched in a win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Logan has a 1.93 ERA in 18 appearances this season and has solidified himself as Colorado’s left-handed specialist out of the pen. He goes down with an injury during a time when he hasn’t allowed a run in his last 14 outings, covering 10.2 innings. His absence will be felt by the Rockies, who have come to rely upon him when needing a critical out against a left-handed batter.

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Motte has worked toward his Rockies debut since being placed on the disabled list on April 3. Recently, in six rehab appearances with Triple-A Albuquerque, he allowed two runs in 5.2 innings pitched (3.18 ERA) with three hits, three walks, five strikeouts and one home run.

Motte had some trouble for the Rockies in six spring training games, going 0-1 with a 9.53 ERA (5.2 IP, 6 ER) before his injury. However, the Colorado Rockies added him in the offseason with the hopes of his veteran leadership bringing a needed swagger to the bullpen. Rockies manager Walt Weiss commented on Motte’s appeal inside the locker room during a spring training interview.

In his career, Motte is 26-15 with 60 saves and a 3.16 ERA (333.1 IP, 117 ER) in 368 appearances with St. Louis (2008-14) and the Chicago Cubs (2015).

Next: More Pitching Changes Coming for Rockies

Logan going on the disabled list limits the number of left-handed options for Weiss. Heading into Wednesday, the only left-handers available are Chris Rusin and Jake McGee, who has served as Colorado’s closer since Opening Day. Now, with the lack of lefties available, it’s possible that McGee could work earlier innings and Motte or Miguel Castro could move into the closer role, at least temporarily.