Colorado Rockies Rundown: Hello Morneau, Bye Bye McBride, And More

Mar 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher M. McBride (7) dives back into first base in the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

McBride gone, Morneau back

(via Twitter)

The Colorado Rockies have reinstated Justin Morneau from the 60-day disabled list, and he is part of the active roster, where he will be available for games beginning this weekend against the Giants (he was active for Friday night’s game).

To do that, though, they had to take somebody off their 40-man roster to give Morneau a spot; the man they chose to remove was Matt McBride, the player we literally just singled out for poor performance. Not saying we predicted it, but… (Just kidding, we absolutely didn’t predict it.)

[ Related: Is DJ LeMahieu the Colorado Rockies’ 2015 MVP? ]

What this does mean is that Morneau is going to get some playing time, and be allowed to build a little bit of his season back before the year ends in a few weeks. That will be important to him next season as he looks for a team this winter; the Colorado Rockies have a mutual option for 2016 with Morneau, but considering it’s for $9 million, the Rox are probably unlikely to exercise it. (That doesn’t mean they couldn’t re-sign him for a smaller deal, an option which has been floated.)

As for McBride, his career with the Rockies may well be done. At 30 years old, he’s missed his window in Denver and has been passed by the likes of younger players like Ben Paulsen and Kyle Parker for opportunities at first base and in the outfield.

Next: Rafael Ynoa returns to the Rockies