Colorado Rockies: Roster moves made ahead of Dodgers game
The Colorado Rockies made several roster moves ahead of their second game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.
Raimel Tapia has been activated from the 10-day injured list after suffering a left hand contusion in the series against the St. Louis Cardinals in late August. Placed on the injured list on August 26 (retroactive to August 24), Tapia was hitting .365 in his last 15 games for the Colorado Rockies before going on the IL. He was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game but was available to come off the bench.
Don’t be surprised if Colorado manager Bud Black doesn’t tinker with Tapia at the top of the lineup when he does start, with regular leadoff man Charlie Blackmon sliding down in the order. The Rockies had reportedly been waiting to try the lineup configuration with Tapia at the top before his injury.
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Additionally, as part of their September roster expansion, the Rockies have selected the contract of catcher Drew Butera from Triple-A Albuquerque and have recalled infielder Josh Fuentes.
The 36-year-old Butera was also added to Colorado’s 40-man roster. To make room for him, outfielder Noel Cuevas has been designated for assignment.
Butera saw action in seven games for the Rockies earlier this season, with his last appearance coming on May 1. This season, he is slashing .176/.222/.294 and will be the third catcher on Colorado’s roster, joining Tony Wolters and Dom Nunez.
Fuentes, 26, has 16 at-bats with the Rockies this season, with all of them coming between April 6-16. Fuentes made his Major League debut when infielder Ryan McMahon was placed on the injured list. Fuentes slashed .254/.298/.448 in 101 Triple-A games this season.
He came to the Rockies this season with plenty of buzz after being named as the 2018 Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year last season. He paced the PCL in hits (169), games played (129), at-bats (527) total bases (268) and extra-base hits (59). He also ranked second in the PCL in RBI (92), doubles (33), triples (12) and runs scored (87). Additionally, Fuentes’ .321 batting average was seventh-best in the league.
Butera will provide depth for the Rockies while Fuentes will be looking to make his mark ahead of next season. Tapia, meanwhile, will be looking to ensure he has a strong finish to the first MLB season he has received regular and consistent playing time.