Someday after putting Justin Lawrence on waivers, the Colorado Rockies bullpen underwent one other transformation on Sunday.
Lower than 24 hours after Lawrence was despatched to waivers following a troublesome begin to spring coaching (three runs surrendered on three hits and three walks plus two hit batters in 3.0 innings), the Rockies introduced that right-hander Jeff Criswell would bear Tommy John surgical procedure and be misplaced for the season.
Criswell was traded by the Athletics to Colorado on Dec. 6, 2022. The 25-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut on Aug. 21 and impressed in his 13 late-season outings with the Rockies, posting a 2.75 ERA and placing out 27 in 19.2 innings.
The lack of Criswell means the Rockies will transfer into the guts of spring coaching with out one other right-hander who initially figured into the competitors for an Opening Day roster spot. Colorado visits the Tampa Bay Rays to open the season on March 28.
Whereas Criswell was possible on the bubble for an Opening Day roster spot, his loss means maybe extra alternatives to impress this spring for Angel Chivilli, Jake Fowl and Jaden Hill, all pitchers who have been in competitors with Criswell for a spot within the bullpen and noticed time with Colorado in 2024.
Together with who will get the ultimate spots within the Rockies bullpen, one other competitors to observe involving Colorado relievers is who will ultimately be topped because the workforce’s nearer. Lawrence had expertise within the function, however was one in all eight Rockies to report a minimum of one save in 2024.
Search for an in depth battle between Seth Halvorsen (two saves final season as a rookie), Tyler Kinley (a club-leading 12 saves final yr) and Victor Vodnik (9 saves in his second MLB season) to find out who will begin the yr within the nearer’s function.
