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Veen revealed this week that he got sober over the offseason and now weighs 245 pounds after finishing last season at 202 pounds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Veen said that he had "a pretty big substance abuse problem for a few years," but he's been able to "cut that out of my lifestyle and replace [it] with protein" to remake his body. According to his high school coach, Johnny Goodrich, Veen's speed and exit velocities have improved with the added muscle. Veen went just 4-for-34 at the plate during his brief time with the Rockies last season and is likely ticketed for Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the 2026 campaign, but the 24-year-old could eventually earn another promotion.
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Rockies' Zac Veen: Unlikely to make initial roster
Rotowire
Veen will likely need an injury in Colorado's outfield to have a chance to make the Opening Day roster, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reports.
The Rockies have a relatively set starting group in the outfield, with Brenton Doyle, Mickey Moniak, Jordan Beck and Jake McCarthy projected to earn the majority of playing time. That likely leaves Veen on the outside looking in for a potential roster spot at the start of spring training. He had a brief stint in the majors in 2025, but he struck out 37.8 percent of the time across 37 plate appearances before being demoted and spending the rest of the campaign at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Veen (ankle) resumed playing in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Friday and has gone 2-for-7 with four walks, two runs and one RBI in three games since rejoining the lineup.
Veen hasn't played for Triple-A Albuquerque since May 22 after suffering a sore ankle, but rather than going on the 7-day injured list, he was instead assigned to the ACL for his rehab program. Now that he's been playing in games again, Veen could soon make his way back to Albuquerque. After being optioned to Triple-A following a two-week stint in the big leagues in April, Veen slashed a meager .224/.277/.342 with one home run and one steal in 19 games before going down with the ankle injury.
Veen, who is recovering from a sore ankle, was assigned to the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Veen might need a game or two in the ACL before returning to action for Triple-A Albuquerque. The 23-year-old outfielder is slashing .271/.336/.439 with two home runs, two steals and a 20 percent strikeout rate in 27 games at Triple-A.
The Rockies optioned Veen to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.
With Brenton Doyle back from the bereavement list, the Rockies have elected to send down Veen, who went just 4-for-34 with a 37.8 percent strikeout rate in 12 games. Veen should get another opportunity with the big club later this season, but he'll head back to Albuquerque for now.
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Rockies' Zac Veen: Sitting against left-hander
Rotowire
Veen is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Kansas City.
It's left-hander Kris Bubic on the bump for the Royals, so the lefty-hitting Veen will begin the contest on the bench. The rookie outfielder has now started two of four games versus lefties and eight of nine contests against righties since being called up. Jordan Beck, Mickey Moniak and Sean Bouchard will be in the outfield for the Rockies to begin Tuesday's series opener.
Veen went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a stolen base during Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against Washington.
Veen's solo shot in the third inning was his first career big-league home run, and he added his first career steal after being hit by a pitch in the fifth. However, he followed up the big performance by going 0-for-4 with three punchouts in the second game of the doubleheader. The rookie outfielder has struggled in his first taste of MLB action, slashing .118/.189/.235 through 11 games.
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Rockies' Zac Veen: Idle versus southpaw
Rotowire
Veen is not in Colorado's starting lineup against Washington on Saturday.
With southpaw MacKenzie Gore taking the mound for the Nationals on Saturday, Veen will start the contest in the dugout while Jordan Beck, Mickey Moniak and Sean Bouchard man the outfield. Veen has gone 3-for-28 with two walks, one RBI and 11 strikeouts this season.
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Rockies' Zac Veen: Taking seat Wednesday
Rotowire
Veen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.
Veen started all eight games since being called up for his MLB debut April 8 versus the Brewers, and he'll receive a day off after going 3-for-28 with 11 strikeouts in his first 30 big-league plate appearances. The 23-year-old will likely have a decent leash as one of the Rockies' top prospects, but he may need to settle in a bit in the near future to avoid a return trip to the minors. Sean Bouchard is starting in left field and batting eighth in the series finale against Los Angeles.
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