Chacín back with Rox in time for opener

The Rockies on Thursday signed veteran right-hander Jhoulys Chacín to a Major League contract and designated right-hander Jairo Díaz for assignment, as the club revealed its Opening Day roster.

Chacín was seen playing catch at Coors Field in front of Rockies coaches on Wednesday. Colorado originally signed him out of Venezuela in 2004, and he made his MLB debut with the Rockies at age 21 in '09. Chacín pitched for Colorado from 2009-14, and he remains one of the best starters in club history -- from 2010-11, he posted a 3.48 ERA (132 ERA+) over 59 appearances (52 starts) despite his home outings coming at the most hitter-friendly park in the Majors. Overall, Chacín has appeared in 124 games for the Rockies (109 starts) with a 3.78 ERA (120 ERA+).

Chacín struggled to a 5.40 ERA in 11 starts in 2014, and the Rockies released him the following March. He signed with Cleveland that April, but never appeared in a Major League game for the Indians before being released. He signed with the D-backs on June 9, 2015, and turned in a 3.38 ERA in five appearances (four starts) for Arizona. Those were the only five appearances Chacín would make in a D-backs uniform, and since '16, he's pitched for the Braves, Angels, Padres, Brewers and Red Sox.

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, Chacín returned for a second stint in Atlanta, but he appeared in only two games and gave up four runs in five innings. He signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees in January and made five appearances for New York in Grapefruit League play, giving up four runs on eight hits over 9 1/3 innings before being released on Sunday.

The Rockies could use some pitching depth, and the club is hoping its bullpen -- which had a 29th-ranked 6.77 ERA last year -- will bounce back in 2021. Chacín has pitched for 12 years in the Majors, but is still only 33, and Colorado is hoping he still has some of the success he gave them a decade ago left in him.