Colorado Rockies: Ranking the 40-Man Roster: 21-25

Number 24

Jairo Diaz: Relief Pitcher Points: 145 Highest Rank: 18 Lowest: 33

Jairo Diaz was meant to settle into the Rockies’ pen full time in 2016 according to the game plan. A blown up elbow threw a wrench into the ideal plan, however. At just 25 years old, Diaz as plenty of time to rebound from his injury and return to his flame-throwing self.

Little is known about the progress of the Diaz’s injury. We do know that Jairo has been rehabbing at the Rockies’ facilities over the off-season and is on a limited throwing program. Then again, you know what they say; no news is good news. The most conservative bet is that Diaz will return to the Majors within the first 4-6 weeks of the 2017 campaign.

Denver aqcuired Diaz in a 2014 trade. Diaz has pitched 24.2 innings in his big league career, posting an ERA of 2.55 with 26 strikeouts. With his potential, Diaz will be a welcome addition to a bullpen in desperate need of depth and consistency. Due to the little information available on the progress of his injury, Spring Training will shed a lot of light on the Rockies bullpen situation and Diaz’s role within it.