Colorado Rockies Roster Moves: Reynolds to Roster, Bettis to 60-Day DL

In what shouldn’t be viewed as a surprising move, but yet one that will have ramifications for a good part of the 2017 season, the Colorado Rockies purchased the contract of Mark Reynolds from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday afternoon.

Reynolds, Colorado’s starting first baseman last season, was brought into Rockies camp this year on a minor league deal. Signed on February 1, Reynolds is now reportedly in line for $1.5 million and can earn up to $2 million more in incentives.

Signing Reynolds will pay quick dividends for the Rockies, who will be without Ian Desmond for the start of the 2017 season. Desmond, one of Colorado’s big offseason signings, broke his hand while batting against the Cincinnati Reds on March 12. He’s expected to miss a short period of time to open the regular season while Reynolds begins the season manning first base.

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The 33-year-old Reynolds hit .282 last season with 14 homers and 53 RBI. He also had part of his season cut short after being hit in the hand by a pitch and having surgery for a broken hamate bone.

To make room on the roster for Reynolds, the Rockies announced that they have placed pitcher Chad Bettis on the 60-day disabled list. Bettis is once again battling cancer, this time undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease.

Bettis said he hopes to be back with the Rockies this season. Colorado manager Bud Black recently praised Bettis in this MLB.com article.

“Chad has handled this so gracefully and courageously,” Black said. “He’s kept such a positive frame of mind around the clubhouse, and to the guys, it’s been great. You could see why so many players gravitate to him and the role that he’s taken on this team through a leadership position. The last couple years, he’s been great. His work with guys in and around the clubhouse has shown, and even through this, he’s been just a pillar of strength.”

Next: What Other MLB Writers Are Saying About Arenado

With the moves, Colorado has a full 40-man roster with still some big decisions to be made about personnel before Opening Day.