September is the month of opportunity in baseball. The first to receive benefits from rosters expanding to 40 for the Colorado Rockies will be Jeff Hoffman.
The club announced Sunday that Hoffman will be recalled to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After another lopsided loss to the visitors, the Rockies will be relying on the hurler to end a five-game losing streak.
Bud Black also announced that the club will add left-handed reliever James Pazos and infielder Pat Valaika to the active roster. It will be Pazos’ first appearance on the Rockies’ roster.
Previous opportunities for Hoffman have been unfruitful in 2019. The latest chance will mark the fifth time this year that he’s been recalled.
In nine starts, he’s registered a 7.81 earned run average. The last start for Hoffman came Aug. 13 when he allowed seven earned runs over a season-low, two innings. In his last showing before Sunday’s call up, the right-hander went two scoreless innings for Triple-A Albuquerque – likely a tune-up for his start in the majors.
Originally acquired in the Troy Tulowitzki deal, Hoffman has failed to live up to his top-prospect billing. In 46 appearances (32 starts) with the Rockies across four seasons, he has a 6.31 ERA. At Coors Field, he has a 7.60 mark in 27 appearances (18 starts).
On the year, especially recent months, the Rockies’ rotation has been a hindrance. Since the year’s onset, they’ve registered a 5.96 ERA – the worst mark in the majors.
All five starters from Opening Day are currently on the injured list. Only German Marquez and Kyle Freeland are eligible to come back in 2019, but neither figures to get many opportunities in the final days.
The starting pitchers for the Rockies figure to be in flux for the rest of the year. Alongside Hoffman, Rico Garcia, Antonio Senzatela and Ryan Castellani figure to get a chance as well.
