Colorado Rockies: Colton Welker called up, other roster moves

The Colorado Rockies announced a flurry of roster moves before Wednesday’s day game with the San Francisco Giants.

They activated starting pitcher Jon Gray (right forearm tightness) from the 10-day injured list to start today’s game. They also recalled right-handed pitcher Antonio Santos from Triple-A Albuquerque and called up corner infielder Colton Welker.

In corresponding moves, the Rockies sent infielder Joshua Fuentes back to Triple-A Albuquerque, placed Tuesday’s starting pitcher Chi Chi González (right oblique strain) on the 10-day IL, and placed relief pitcher Robert Stephenson on the paternity list.

González was rocked in his start on Tuesday, as he allowed eight hits and five earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings in the Rockies’ 12-3 loss to the Giants.

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Colton Welker will be making his MLB debut soon for the Colorado Rockies.

Welker, 23, spoke with the media, including Rox Pile, on the field at Coors Field and he described the experience of being called up.

He was slated to start for Triple-A Albuquerque at third base against Clayton Kershaw, who is currently on a rehab assignment for the Los Angeles Dodgers with their Triple-A affiliate in Oklahoma City. He was scratched from the start and Isotopes manager Warren Schaeffer was the one who informed Welker that he was being called up to the majors at about 6 PM C.T.

Welker said that he flew in from Oklahoma City on the red-eye flight early this morning to Denver.

Welker will not be in the starting lineup on Wednesday for the Rockies and he will not have any family attending Wednesday’s game due to the short notice but he said that he will likely have family in Philadelphia, as the Rockies will head to Philadelphia to play the Phillies on Thursday. Welker’s family is primarily in his native Florida.

The Rockies will look to avoid being swept at home for the first time in 2021 at 1:10 PM M.T. You can catch the game on AT&T Rocky Mountain, KOA 850 AM, or on the MLB App.