Colorado Rockies roster moves: Another COVID-19 causality causes roster shakeup

The Colorado Rockies announced before their game with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday that they have made a few roster moves.

The Rockies have recalled right-handed pitcher Antonio Santos up from Triple-A Albuquerque. Additionally, they have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Jesus Tinoco from Triple-A Albuquerque as a replacement player and called him up to the major leagues. They have also reinstated right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin off the COVID IL.

In corresponding moves, the Rockies have placed right-handed pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez within the COVID protocols and they have optioned right-handed pitcher Justin Lawrence back to Triple-A Albuquerque.

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Santos, 24, has pitched well in four games with the Rockies this year as he has an ERA of 1.50 in the four relief appearances. Santos was the Opening Day starter for Triple-A Albuquerque but after one more start after that, the Rockies decided to make him a full-time relief pitcher. In 20 games in Albuquerque (18 in relief), he has an ERA of 7.67.

Tinoco, 26, pitched in the majors for the Rockies in 2019 and 2020 (as well as the Marlins in 2020) but he was DFA’d by the Rockies in November of 2020. Like Santos, Tinoco has struggled with Triple-A Albuquerque as he has a 7.75 ERA in 18 relief appearances for the Isotopes. In those games, he is allowing a staggering 13.6 hits per nine innings.

Chacin, 33, has been out since the return from the All-Star break when he and others (including Antonio Senzatela and manager Bud Black) were placed in COVID protocols. On the season, he has appeared in 21 games (one start) and in 34 1/3 innings, he has an ERA of 4.72.

Gonzalez, 29, was supposed to be the Rockies starter on Wednesday against the Angels. Instead, the Rockies will go with a bullpen game. Rookie Lucas Gilbreath, who has some experience starting in the minor leagues, will make his first MLB start instead. Gonzalez is 3-6 with an ERA of 6.06 in 19 games (15 starts) on the season.

Lawrence, 26, has struggled in his inaugural season in the majors as in 18 games thus far, Lawrence has an ERA of 7.16. He pitched in both games played thus far with the Rockies and he has only retired one batter in each game and allowed at least two hits, one walk, and one run in each game.