Rockies add Amezaga, option Mortensen
The Colorado Rockies have purchased the contract of infielder Alfredo Amezega and optioned right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen to Triple-A Colorado Springs. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Rockies designated pitcher Alan Johnson for assignment. Amezaga will be in uniform for the Rockies in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.
Amezaga, who was signed to a minor-league contract in the offseason but missed much of the early part of spring training with various minor injuries, was hitting .364 with eight doubles and 11 RBI for the Sky Sox. A switch-hitter who has played shortstop, left field and center field this season, Amezaga has played every infield and outfield position in the majors at one time. He last played in the major league since 2009 and missed most of the 2010 season with a knee injury.
Mortensen pitched eight shutout innings in two games for the Rockies after being recalled on April 18. He made his first appearance that same day with six shutout innings in relief of starter Esmil Rogers. He allowed two hits and two walks and struck out three in his two major-league appearances.
Johnson made his major-league debut for the Rockies in a spot start on April 17 and allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings. He is 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in two starts for Colorado Springs. If he clear waivers, he could remain with the Rockies.
Since this is a swap of a pitcher for an infielder, that puts the Rocks back at 12 pitchers, 13 fielders.
CBS Sports is reporting Wiggy is on the DL, but I can not find that anywhere else, and their story was confusing at best. Has anyone heard anything on that?
Steve,
Do you have any sense as to whether Johnson will clear waivers? I suppose from his standpoint it would be good if another team showed enough interest in him to claim him. I thought that the Rockies would move Escalona to the 60 day DL. What do you hear about his injury and when he might return to the lineup?
Speaking of CS starters, I can’t remember what happened to Greg Smith. Is he still in the system, but injured, or is he not in the Rockies’ system any more?
Julian, Smith was outrighted a few weeks ago. He wasn’t good enough to crack the Colorado Springs roster.
Smith was released before the season. Not sure where he is now.
On Johnson clearing waivers, it’s tough to say. He’s been available to other teams the past couple years as a minor league free agent but has stuck with the Rockies. My guess is that he will clear waivers, because any claiming team would need to put him on their 40-man roster and not sure that will happen.
On Escalona, two issues if he were put on the 60-day disabled list. One, it isn’t retroactive to before the season because he’s not on the 15-day disabled list, he’s on the minor-league list which is handled differently. Also with the 60-day, he would be accumulating major-league service time. Not something you want to do casually. But last report is that he won’t be out much longer anyway.
Interesting decision on bringing up Amezaga. I understand he has played every infield and outfield position sometime during his career. Great but so far he “has played shortstop, left field and center field this season”. So Lopez will be the 3rd baseman and Amezaga will play where ever as needed? It does make me wonder what the Rockies are thinking regarding a couple of other players. One thing seems apparent. The rockies have some decent depth available.
Weird to bring up Amezaga rather than waiting the extra day or so to bring back Stewart. I’ve always liked him as a player (the Rockies should’ve given him a shot the first time he put on a Rockies uniform), but he’s a pure good field/little hit utility man.
I too think it strange they didn’t wait for Stewert to pass the 10 day rule-then no 40 man move needed.Also,could lose Sat game to weather[50/50],so extra player probably not needed.Does this mean Stewert is goung to stay at CS for a while?I wanted him sent out,but if Wiggy can play by Tues.,the 6 hole is becoming a chasm.