Colorado Rockies on the Cusp of Big Pitching Changes

Slowly and methodically, changes are coming for the Colorado Rockies bullpen. While the Rockies will gladly welcome back some arms that have been missing, it will also force the club into some tough choices.

As has been rumored for the last several days, Jason Motte is in Boston as the Rockies opened a three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Motte has been out of action since spring training with a shoulder injury and has yet to see action for the Rockies this season after signing with the team in the offseason. If all goes as expected, Motte could be activated during the Red Sox series.

While Motte is progressing back from his injury, so is former Colorado closer Adam Ottavino, who has been working to recover from Tommy John surgery. Ottavino is expected to face live hitters later in the month and, if all goes well, the 30-year-old right-hander could be back with the Rockies by the All-Star break.

Of course, both of these additions are still dependent on regaining their form enough to rejoin the squad. However, both seem to be on track to do just that.

Having Motte and Ottavino available to the Rockies will certainly bolster the bullpen … but what happens when both come off the disabled list and are able to pitch again? And what happens when Christian Bergman makes his return from the disabled list after suffering an oblique injury against the St. Louis Cardinals at the start of this nine-game road trip?

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These are the questions that are staring the Rockies right in the face as Memorial Day weekend looms. Three pitchers coming back to the team means three pitchers have to make room for them on the roster.

Chris Rusin is now serving as the club’s long reliever (and why shouldn’t he be after such an impressive outing on Monday against Pittsburgh?). That’s the role that Bergman was holding down before his injury. It’s assumed that Bergman will make some rehab appearances in Triple-A … but how long will he stay there?

With Motte coming back, the Rockies will have to decide if Miguel Castro or Carlos Estevez are optioned or if Colorado will have to part ways with Justin Miller or Gonzalez Germen. Castro and Estevez have been impressive in the early season for the Rockies so losing them might weaken the bullpen more than Motte would strengthen it. It’s a delicate balancing act.

Ottavino’s return is further away and, at this moment, the least of the Rockies’ roster worries. However, when the time comes, not only will a decision need to be made on a roster spot … but also who will be the Colorado closer. Jake McGee has held the role and been steady, nailing down 13 saves in 15 opportunities heading into the Red Sox series. Will Ottavino or Motte or Castro challenge McGee for the role as the season evolves? It will be very interesting to see.

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The dominoes may begin to fall this week in Boston and may not stop until after the All-Star break. Once they do, the Colorado Rockies pitching staff should have a whole new look and possibly some new roles as well.