MLB Player News

The Rockies recalled Kauffmann from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Jake Bird is scheduled to serve as the Rockies' opening pitcher in Monday's game against the Nationals, but Kauffmann will most likely work in bulk relief behind him, given that he's capable of covering multiple innings and is the freshest arm in the Colorado bullpen. The right-hander has produced an inflated 10.19 ERA and 2.04 WHIP with eight strikeouts in 17.2 innings over five appearances (three starts) with the big-league club in 2023. Kauffmann will likely be in line for a short-term stay with the Rockies.

Rodriguez was designated for assignment Monday.

Atlanta needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for Taylor Hearn. Rodriguez has made a total of three appearances in the majors this season between Atlanta and Minnesota but has spent most of the year at the Triple-A level. He'll now go through the waiver process.

Luetge was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Monday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The team needed to clear a spot on the 40-man and 26-man rosters for the addition of Pierce Johnson. It's the second time since late May that Luetge has been removed from the 40-man roster. If he clears waivers, he has the ability to elect free agency.

Alexander (6-1) allowed two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Sunday. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

Alexander was the opener for the second time this season, but it ended up being a poor outing for the southpaw, as he gave up multiple runs for the first time since April 29. He's emerged as a somewhat high-leverage option for the Giants this season, logging seven holds and one save over 32 appearances, though he's far from challenging Camilo Doval for the closer role. Alexander now has a 3.62 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB through 27.1 innings and should return to his usual role going forward.

Atlanta acquired Hearn from the Rangers on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Hearn holds a 5.11 ERA over 92 appearances -- 25 starts -- at the major-league level, although he's spent most of 2023 at Triple-A Round Rock. He has minor-league options remaining, but he looks set to report to the big-league club right away as he joins a new organization.

The Rockies acquired Vodnik and right-hander Tanner Gordon from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for right-hander Pierce Johnson, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vodnik immediately becomes one of the top reliever prospects in the Rockies' farm system, and while the move to Colorado probably lowers his fantasy ceiling when he ultimately reaches the majors, he likely won't have to wait as long for his first big-league call-up. The 23-year-old right-hander has spent the entire season at Double-A Mississippi, converting all four of his save chances while compiling a 3.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 56:25 K:BB in 40.2 innings.

Atlanta acquired Johnson from the Rockies on Monday in exchange for Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Johnson has offered a mixed bag for the Rockies this season, posting a 6.00 ERA and 1.85 WHIP but also striking out 58 batters across 39 relief innings. The 32-year-old boasts an 11.3 K/9 rate for his career, and clearly Atlanta wanted some of that swing-and-miss ability for their bullpen. Johnson should operate as part of the bridge to closer Raisel Iglesias.

Hernandez (1-0) picked up the win during Sunday's victory over the Brewers, allowing one hit and striking out three in a scoreless inning of relief.

Making his big-league debut in the seventh inning, Hernandez flashed overpowering stuff with a fastball that topped out at 97.3 mph and a nasty slider that he used to carve up the bottom of Milwaukee's batting order. The right-hander hadn't allowed a run since May 3 for Triple-A Gwinnett prior to his promotion, posting a 29:5 K:BB in 17.2 innings during that shutout streak, and while he's no threat to take the closer job away from Raisel Iglesias, Hernandez could quickly work his way into a high-leverage role for Atlanta.

Lambert is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Nationals in Washington.

The Rockies have been short on reliable starting pitching nearly all season, so it comes as little surprise that Lambert will get another turn through the rotation after he dazzled in his return from Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend. Prior to being recalled Friday, Lambert had worked in a multi-inning relief role with Colorado earlier in the season, but he looks like he'll get a chance to make regular starts with the big club now that he's had a chance to get fully stretched out in the minors. While facing off against Miami last weekend, Lambert held the Marlins scoreless over five innings while striking out three and allowing just four baserunners. The matchup with a Washington offense that has been a bottom-third unit in terms of wRC+ (95, 22nd in the majors) is a favorable one on paper for Lambert, though Nationals Park has historically skewed hitter-friendly.

Bird is scheduled to serve as the Rockies' starting pitcher Monday in Washington in what is expected to be a bullpen day, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bird tossed a 12-pitch inning Saturday and hasn't recorded more than six outs in any appearance since late April, so he's unlikely to work more than once through the Nationals batting order before bowing out of the contest. The Rockies haven't designated a primary pitcher to work behind Bird, but Triple-A Albuquerque starter Karl Kauffmann is on the taxi squad and could be activated ahead of Monday's contest to give Colorado some added length out of the bullpen.