After a career-worst start, the Colorado Rockies have optioned Jeff Hoffman back to Triple-A Albuquerque. In his place, they’ve recalled reliever Yency Almonte.
In his latest chance, Hoffman was recalled to take the rotation spot of Jon Gray who was scratched with ankle soreness. The ailment for the hurler came in his last start against the Padres.
Across a career-low two innings, Hoffman allowed seven earned runs including four home runs. He became the first Rockies’ pitcher in their history to allow four home runs over two-or-fewer innings.
The blunder elevated Hoffman’s season earned run average to 7.81.
In his nine starts, the youngster has allowed three-or-more runs in seven. Across the same span, he’s allowed 14 home runs in only 40.1 innings. For the Isotopes, the results haven’t been much better as the former top prospect has a 7.91 ERA in 14 appearances.
Originally acquired as the top piece for Troy Tulowitzki, Hoffman has largely disappointed for the club. Across 46 appearances dating back to 2016, he carries a 6.31 ERA in 179.2 innings.
The 26-year-old still has multiple years before he hits his arbitration years, but the results early on have yet to inspire.
“Jeff’s a part of our organization,” Bud Black said. “We’re going to continue to coach him, he’s going to continue to pitch and (hope) that he finds some consistent success.”
For Almonte, it will be his fifth appearance on the Rockies’ active roster this year.
In 15.2 innings in the majors, he’s allowed seven earned runs and struck out nine. Since being acquired from the White Sox for Tommy Kahnle in 2015, he’s pitched 30.1 total innings and carries a 2.97 career ERA.
For the Isotopes this year, Almonte has registered a 4.20 ERA in 30 innings.
