Injuries & Moves: Right-hander Herget claimed off waivers
This page will be updated throughout the offseason to track all of the Rockies' moves, along with the progress of any injured players.
LATEST NEWS
Nov. 8: RHP Jimmy Herget claimed off waivers from the Cubs
Herget, 31, made eight appearances for the Braves in 2024, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.38 ERA. He also had 30 Minor League appearances in the Angels', Braves' and Cubs' organizations, with 15 of those outings coming with the Braves’ Triple-A Gwinnett (0-1 record with a 3.06 ERA). The Cubs designated Herget for assignment last week.
With 129 big league appearances over six seasons with the Reds (2019), Rangers (2020-21), Angels (2021-23) and Braves (2024), Herget will rely on his experience while competing for a job in a talented but mostly young bullpen. His key attribute is staying in the strike zone -- with 141 strikeouts against 47 walks in 155 total innings. But his history includes high homer totals -- 1.0 home runs per nine innings.
Herget is eligible for arbitration and out of Minor League options. If he wins a job in Spring Training, his presence could allow development time for younger relievers. With the additions of Herget and right-handed pitcher Germán Márquez, who was re-added when the 60-day injured list expired after the season, the Rockies’ Major League roster has 38 players -- two below the limit.
Nov. 4: C Jacob Stallings declines mutual option, becomes free agent
Stallings, who turns 35 on Dec. 22, was expected to turn down the option and receive $500,000, which brought his 2024 earnings to $2 million. The original contract called for another $1.5 million base salary for 2025, so the expectation is he and the Rockies will work on a new contract.
In 82 games last season, Stallings batted .263 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs. He shared early-season time with Elias Díaz, then was paired with rookie Hunter Goodman and prospect Drew Romo after Díaz was released.
Should the sides reach agreement, Stallings would be the only catcher of significant experience on the 40-man roster, which currently has 36 members.
Nov. 2: Non-roster INF Owen Miller obtained from Brewers for cash considerations
Miller, 27, has batted .239 with 15 home runs and 99 RBIs in 294 games over four seasons with the Guardians (2021-22) and Brewers (2023-24). Miller appeared in 14 games in 2024 and was removed from the Major League roster in July.
Nov. 1: RHP Daniel Bard and DH/OF Charlie Blackmon officially become free agents
Blackmon, 38, retired at season’s end, when he earned $13 million. Bard, 39, whose two-year contract expired after he was paid $9.5 million in 2024, missed the season because of surgery to the flexor tendon in his right elbow. As the season finished, Bard was planning to rehab to see if he can continue his career in 2025.
The moves leave the Rockies with 37 players on their 40-man Major League roster. Right-hander Germán Márquez will bring the figure to 38 when he is reinstated from the 60-day injured list.
INJURY UPDATES
OF Kris Bryant (back strain)
Expected return: 2025
Bryant, limited to 159 games in his first three seasons of a seven-year, $182 million contract, is on a back program that has input from the player, the club’s athletic training and physical performance staffs, his agents and representatives, and physical therapists in Denver and Las Vegas (where he lives in the offseason).
Bryant, whose injury travails have taught him a new appreciation for health and just being available to his team, said that in younger days he did the heavy weightlifting that was thought to be necessary. Now he’s on a safer program.
“It’s more the smaller muscles, and I’ll work on those efficiencies in the offseason,” said Bryant, who said he has been on his current program for about four weeks. “Deadlifting 400 pounds really isn’t going to help your back. So I guess I am a workout fiend, only more with the smaller muscles that help stabilize your back. (Last updated: Sept. 25)
RHP Tyler Kinley (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Kinley, 33, finished an up-and-down year 6-1 with a 6.19 ERA and 12 saves in 67 appearances. Kinley underwent right flexor tendon surgery in 2022 and it wasn’t until midseason this year that he felt he regained his best form. However, increasing discomfort in the arm has led to inconsistent results. In his last nine games, he was scored upon just twice -- but those games led to a 9.95 ERA over that period.
“It’s his arm -- it’s everything, it’s elbow,” manager Bud Black said. “He’s been in discomfort for a few weeks and he’s battled through it, to his credit. But it got to the point where we felt and he felt it was compromising his performance.”
Kinley is signed through next season, with a $3 million salary for 2025 and a club option for '26 valued at $5 million or a $750,000 buyout. (Last updated: Sept. 20)
LHP Lucas Gilbreath (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Likely 2025
Gilbreath, who completed a long recovery from Tommy John surgery only to go back to the IL on Aug. 26 with left shoulder inflammation, said the problem is in the entire shoulder and is still somewhat a mystery.
“The issue we keep running into is as we increase intensity, it can’t handle it so that’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Gilbreath said on Sept. 16. “How do we get to a point where I can do what I need to do, which is consistently throw in games and not have any issues.”
Gilbreath is throwing off the “rebounder” in the training room. The idea is for a delivery that doesn’t stress his body. He has found himself dropping his arm slot to the point that “there’s no way to drive the ball the way that I pitch.” (Last updated: Sept. 16)
RHP Germán Márquez (right elbow stress reaction)
Expected return: 2025
Márquez returned from Tommy John surgery and made one start before being placed on the IL again on July 22 (retroactive to July 19). On Aug. 8, he was shut down for the rest of the season with a stress reaction in the olecranon area of his right elbow. Márquez was transferred to the 60-day IL on Aug. 23. (Last updated: Aug. 23)