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July 3: RHP pitcher Peter Lambert recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque; RHP Riley Pint optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque
The Rockies brought back Peter Lambert from Triple-A on Wednesday in hopes of bolstering a pitching staff that was taxed by two extra-innings games in the past three days. Lambert made four starts for Albuquerque, going 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA (16 innings, eight earned runs), striking out 20 while walking eight, and was scheduled to start Wednesday before the call-up.

“Peter adds some reinforcement, a fresh arm,” manager Bud Black said before Wednesday’s game. “The velocity’s held, the change-up is still his best secondary pitch. He was throwing the ball well the last couple of games.”

Pint was recalled June 28 and made one appearance, allowing two hits and two runs in two-thirds of an inning while walking one and striking out one in Chicago.

June 30: C Elias Díaz (left calf strain) activated from the 10-day injured list; 1B/DH Elehuris Montero designated for assignment
Most notably in the baseball world, the Rockies potentially moving away from Montero (they can send him to Triple-A Albuquerque if he is unclaimed off waivers) leaves them with just LHP Austin Gomber from the much-debated trade of their star third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Montero’s 2024 has been curious. After flashing power at the end of 2023 but also demonstrating a propensity for strikeouts, Montero received regular playing time at the start of the year. He dramatically trimmed the strikeout rate -- from 36.2 percent last season to 24.2 percent -- and even fared well in internal stats such as hard-hit rate. But in 247 plate appearances, he managed .205/.267/.304 with four home runs and 28 RBIs.

“It’s hard to really answer that one,” manager Bud Black said. “You watch him in batting practice, you watch the exit velocity. He’s made some adjustments, cutting down the strikeouts. I would like to think that’s not the reason the power has shortened up a little bit, but that was a little bit of a mystery for us. I hope selfishly, organizationally, we can keep him in Albuquerque.”

The Rockies believe returns of outfielder/designated hitter Charlie Blackmon on Saturday and Díaz's return on Sunday can help the team out of the offensive malaise that led to a 3-7 homestand and what going into Sunday was an 0-4 road trip.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

INF/OF Kris Bryant (left rib contusion, oblique strain)
Expected return: TBD
Bryant continues working in the batting cage and ramping up baseball activity.

“He's got a little bit more intensity today,” Rockies manager Bud Black said Tuesday. “More volume, running, throwing, took some grounders here with [infield coach Warren Schaefer], [hit] inside in the cage. He's doing better. He's feeling good. No timetable.

“Bryant’s our best player when he's healthy. We want to get him back." (Last updated: July 2)

OF Jordan Beck (broken left hand; Rockies No. 4 prospect)
Expected return: July
Beck was scheduled to return to Denver by July 3 at the latest to be seen by team personnel. He has been at the team’s complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., following surgery on May 29 to insert a plate in Beck’s hand to aid in healing. He was injured on May 25.

“I think he's actually flying in today,” manager Bud Black said. “Out of the cast, doing baseball activities, I think he's here to get checked on by our team doctors and [head athletic trainer Keith Dugger] and the rest of the guys. He's doing great, he's doing well.” (Last updated: July 2)

OF Zac Veen (low back strain; MLB Pipeline No. 90 prospect/Rockies No. 6)
Expected return: TBD
Veen, 22, continued his rehab assignment at High-A Spokane on July 2, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single and a walk after logging a 1-for-3 performance with a pair of free passes. The outfielder began his rehab with three games in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League on June 25 after having previously worked out at the team’s complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. A left hand/thumb injury -- in addition to the back ailment -- had slowed Veen’s progress. Veen was off to a solid start at Double-A Hartford to begin the year, slashing .326/.418/.568 across 28 games. (Last updated: July 2)

RHP Jake Bird (right groin strain)
Expected return: TBD
Bird was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 23, with a right groin strain prior to the Rockies’ game against the Astros on June 26. Bird left his June 22 outing against the Nationals with the training staff after recording one out. It is his second IL stint after he missed a month with right elbow tightness. Bird returned on June 17. Bird is 1-1 with one save and a 6.26 ERA in 22 games this season. (Last updated: June 26)

2B Adael Amador (right oblique strain; MLB Pipeline No. 32 prospect/Rockies No. 1)
Expected return: TBD
Obliques are tricky, but the Rockies are optimistic about Amador’s. Manager Bud Black noted that Amador missed limited time when he sustained a similar injury at Double-A Hartford earlier this season. Unless there are other Rockies infield injuries, Amador, 21, will likely be returned to Hartford to continue his development. (Last updated: June 21)

LHP Josh Rogers (left rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: TBD
Rogers, whose five appearances with Colorado were his first in the Majors since 2022, underwent an MRI. The preliminary report was that there wasn’t extensive damage, but it’s too early to predict when he will return. (Last updated: June 19)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

LHP Lucas Gilbreath (Tommy John surgery, shoulder discomfort)
Expected return: TBD
Gilbreath’s rehab was slowed down when he had to pause for a shoulder issue.

“He threw a side today,” manager Bud Black said Wednesday. “He was doing great. We projected him [coming] back in May. He threw five rehab games, then he hurt his shoulder. That was a bummer, bottom line. But he's back now. He's thrown two sides through today, threw great with all his pitches. So, I think he's on his way back.” (Last updated: July 3)

RHP Antonio Senzatela (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Possibly late this season
Senzatela threw a bullpen session on July 2 and began mixing in more of his pitches as part of his progression.

“He's throwing breaking balls,” manager Bud Black said of Senzatela. “Today's the first day that he's spinning the ball. It was fastball, changeup, so that's another step. The next step after this is probably another bullpen or two throwing all his pitches and then he'll face some hitters. I don't know the exact timeline, but he'll be facing our hitters in a simulated-type situation on the field without a protective screen. That might happen on that road trip, we'll see. But he's doing great.”

Black added that a September return was “reasonable.” (Last updated: July 2)

RHP Germán Márquez (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Around midseason
Rockies manager Bud Black announced on June 29 that Márquez is slated for another rehab start for Triple-A Albuquerque, either July 3 or 4. On June 28, Márquez threw 33 pitches in just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four runs on four hits, including a two-run homer on a hanging slider. But Black said there were positives.

At the top of the list was the fact Márquez reported on Saturday morning that his arm felt good. Also, Márquez‘s fastball reached around 97 mph. Poor command and some bad luck contributed to the poor outing. (Last updated: June 29)

RHP Daniel Bard (right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Bard, who tore the meniscus in his left knee while playing catch prior to Spring Training and underwent surgery, had a setback rehabbing and had season-ending surgery on his right arm on May 1. The Rockies placed him on the 60-day IL to add left-hander Ty Blach to the active roster.

Bard, 38, is in the final year of a two-year, $19 million contract. Bard has said he would like to return after a year of rehab, but he will see how he feels and consult his family before committing to pitching again. Read more >> (Last updated: May 1)

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