Colorado Rockies roster move: Jeff Hoffman recalled, Pat Valaika optioned

The Colorado Rockies have had to make yet another roster move today. Like Monday, they had to make a move for their starting pitcher for that day.

The Colorado Rockies have announced that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Jeff Hoffman from Triple-A Albuquerque to start for the Rockies in Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.

In a corresponding move, the Rockies have optioned infielder Pat Valaika to Albuquerque.

Hoffman, 26, has yet to be able to prove himself at the major league level for the Rockies and thus far this season in Albuquerque, he has not helped his cause. In three games (two starts), he has pitched to a ghastly 13.89 ERA. In 11 2/3 innings pitched, he has allowed 20 hits, 18 runs (all earned), five home runs, eight walks, and 13 strikeouts.

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Last season, in Albuquerque, he went 6-8 with a 4.94 ERA in 21 starts. In six appearances with the Rockies last season (one start), he pitched to a 9.35 ERA, allowing 15 hits, 9 runs (all earned), and seven walks in 8 2/3 innings.

He will be taking Kyle Freeland‘s slot in the rotation as yesterday, he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a blood blister on his left middle finger. Tyler Anderson was activated from the injured list to take his spot on the roster.

As Rox Pile’s Jake Shapiro noted in this article yesterday, Valaika has struggled mightily ever since he was called up when Daniel Murphy was sent to the injured list.

In 30 plate appearances this year for the Colorado Rockies, he had just two hits.

Since 2018, Valaika has a fWAR of -1.6, which is the worst in the National League. His wRC+ of zero is the worst of any player with over 150 plate appearances. Even looking at RBI, nobody in baseball with over 150 plate appearances since the start of last season has fewer RBI than Valaika.

The Rockies will likely make another roster move tomorrow in activating infielder Daniel Murphy off the injured list. Stay tuned for our coverage from Coors Field as Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry is at Coors Field with the going’s on.