Colorado Rockies Rundown: Kahnle Optioned To AAA, Gurka Recalled, Roberts DFA’d, Betancourt Released

Aug 19, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher R. Betancourt (63) reacts during the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. The Nationals won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Happy trails, Rafael Betancourt

(via RotoWorld)

Via RotoWorld and others (thus via the Colorado Rockies’ transactions page, though the team hasn’t made an official announcement), Rafael Betancourt was released by the Colorado Rockies late Thursday.

This move was expected, sadly, after he was designated for assignment last week amid a season where he had really struggled to find consistency as part of a very poor bullpen.

[ Related: Ten relievers the Colorado Rockies should look at in September ]

At 40 years old, Betancourt’s career may very well be over. If that’s the case, he’d finish his career with 680 games pitched (309 with the Colorado Rockies), a 3.36 ERA (3.53), 75 saves (58 saves), and very solid peripherals, including 4.41 strikeouts per walk for his career, 7.8 hits per nine innings, just 2.2 walks per nine, and 9.5 strikeouts per nine.

His best season with the Colorado Rockies without a doubt came in 2012, when he recorded 31 saves and a 1.12 WHIP in 60 games, with a 2.81 ERA and just 12 walks against 57 strikeouts in 57.2 innings.

Betancourt, along with Brian Fuentes, is one of the very best relievers in the history of the Colorado Rockies. So 2015 notwithstanding, he had a wonderful career in Denver.

Next: Justin Morneau is nearing a return