Colorado Rockies morning after: Why Sunday’s roster move could be big

Sunday was a big day for the Colorado Rockies. Heroics by All-Star shortstop Trevor Story in the ninth inning of Sunday’s walk-off win over the Seattle Mariners ensured a sweep of one of the American League’s top teams. It also gave the Rockies their 13^th win in their last 16 games and pulled them within two games of both the top spot in the National League West and the second National League Wild Card spot.

But there was something else big for the Rockies on Sunday that was easy to lose in the excitement surrounding the last game before the All-Star break. Something else that could pay dividends for a team that seems to be hitting on the right cylinders at the right time.

On Sunday, the Rockies announced that Carlos Estevez had been activated from the 60-day disabled list and sent to Triple-A Albuquerque. Colorado opened a spot on the 40-man roster by outright optioning reliever Brooks Pounders to Albuquerque.

The Rockies have been looking for a pitcher who can be “the bridge” between a rotation that has been dominant in its last 15 starts, posting a 2.25 ERA, and a bullpen that was the subject of record spending in the offseason. It is possible that Estevez could serve in that capacity when he returns to the Rockies, likely later this month after some Triple-A outings.

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The 25-year-old right-hander has yet to pitch in a game situation this season after suffering a strained left oblique in spring training. However, he has plenty of big-league experience, including taking over as the team’s closer for a span in 2016 and recording 11 saves.

While Estevez has not pitched this season, it’s apparent from recent comments from Colorado manager Bud Black that he believes Estevez will be a key part of the Rockies bullpen as the season revs back up for its stretch run to the postseason.

With Scott Oberg posting a 3-0 mark, 0.55 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in his last seven appearances, he and Estevez could potentially form a lethal combo of right-handed pitching to get the Rockies to Adam Ottavino and Wade Davis to close out a game.

Could it even be that the Rockies won’t need to find another arm in the bullpen with Estevez coming back? Much like David Dahl’s coming return to the Colorado outfield, the Rockies could well be receiving key pieces that could boost the chances for a return to a second consecutive Rocktober … and doing it without having to give up any prospects in a trade.

Next: Watch Trevor Story's game-winning homer from Sunday

If Estevez can return and truly be “a seventh-inning guy” who can preserve a Rockies lead, Sunday’s announcement will eventually be much, much bigger than the pop it received on a very busy day before the All-Star break.