Injuries & Moves: Trejo added; Bernabel DFA'd
LATEST NEWS
March 28: Selected the contract of INF Alan Trejo and designated INF Warming Bernabel for assignment
The move locks in as official the Rockies' Opening Day roster, and it was earned when Trejo made adjustments in the batter's box that should make his swing more adaptable to bench duty.
Bernabel played at Double-A Hartford last season but missed considerable time with a back injury. In a wrong-place-wrong-time incident in his native Dominican Republic during the offseason, he received two bullet holes in his lower back, but amazingly escaped serious injury, when caught in the crossfire of a robbery attempt while picking up a meal from the business that was being attacked.
March 26: OF Sean Bouchard optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque
Bouchard entered camp the favorite for the job because of his controlled at-bats. However, Bouchard sustained a slight oblique pull early. He appeared to be catching up, but the best swing was not there. On the other hand, 1B-OF Michael Toglia was so strong with average and power that he snapped a chance.
March 25: Reassigned RHPs Matt Carasiti and Matt Koch, LHP Ty Blach to Minor League camp; OF Bradley Zimmer released
These moves, plus the reassignment of right-hander John Curtiss that manager Bud Black announced on March 24, mean right-hander Victor Vodnik gets the final bullpen spot. Vodnik, who debuted late last season and has struggled during Spring Training, has Minor League options and gives the club roster flexibility.
Carasiti, Curtiss, Koch and Blach all pitched for the Rockies last season, and they give the club experienced options at Triple-A Albuquerque.
A day after acquiring outfielder/first baseman Jake Cave from the Phillies, the Rockies made official the release of Zimmer, who had a solid camp as a non-roster invitee but was not going to make the team.
March 24: Acquired OF Jake Cave from the Phillies for cash considerations; Transferred RHP Germán Márquez to the 60-day IL
Cave, 31, has a career .231/.293/.401 slash line with 38 home runs and 139 RBIs in 400 Major League games. He appeared in 65 games last season for Philadelphia, slashing .212/.272/.348 with five home runs and 21 RBIs and was a member of the Phillies' postseason roster.
Manager Bud Black said the Rockies like Cave's versatility and speed. Assistant coach P.J. Pilittere worked with Cave in the Yankees' organization.
"Jake comes with a toolset that profiles for us as role player -- ability to play all three positions in the outfield ability to play first base as well," Black said. "He has some power, can really hit a fastball, all fastballs. He's a hard-nosed, gritty player, 55 runner and a good solid defender."
Márquez, an All-Star in 2021, underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early May, and may not be available until midseason or later.
INJURY UPDATES
LHP Lucas Gilbreath (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD, but not before the regular season begins
Gilbreath will reach the next step in his return on March 26, when he'll throw the first live batting practice session of his recovery. This essentially puts him roughly one week into a normal Spring Training. Gilbreath will need to work his way to pitching in game conditions and go on a Minor League rehab assignment before the Rockies consider activating him. (Last updated: March 25)
RHP Daniel Bard (left knee cleanup procedure)
Expected return: After the regular season begins
Bard, who not only underwent an operation on his left knee in mid-February but had PRP injections in his right forearm during the offseason, threw in the Rockies' performance lab on March 24. He'll take a significant step on March 26 when he throws a full bullpen to a catcher. Bard has thrown previous sessions into a net positioned at home plate. (Last updated: March 25)
60-day IL
RHP Germán Márquez (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Around midseason
The Rockies believe Márquez can return around midseason, and build toward a full workload in 2025. (Last updated: March 24)
RHP Antonio Senzatela (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD
Senzatela was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 28, and his status for the season is unclear following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. (Last updated: Feb. 28)