Rockies DFA Toglia amid flurry of 40-man roster moves

DENVER -- The Rockies designated switch-hitting Michael Toglia-- their Opening Day first baseman in 2025 -- for assignment on Tuesday while setting their 40-man roster.

In addition to removing Toglia, 27 -- their top pick in the 2019 MLB Draft -- from the Major League roster, the Rockies also designated for assignment lefty reliever Ryan Rolison, their top pick in 2018. Rolison was then traded to the Braves on Wednesday for cash considerations.

There were additions, as well. The Rockies acquired veteran left-handed reliever Brennan Bernardino from the Red Sox for outfielder Braiden Ward, and selected the contracts of three players from MLB Pipeline's list of the top 30 Colorado prospects -- right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes (No. 14), outfielder Sterlin Thompson (No. 15) and left-handed relief pitcher Welinton Herrera (No. 19).

The decision at Tuesday’s deadline for setting the 40-man roster and protecting players from the Rule 5 Draft represented a lengthy fall from grace for Toglia, who seemed to be a Rockies centerpiece when he hit 25 home runs in 2024. The moves occurred under new president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, who took over earlier this month after the club parted ways with former general manager Bill Schmidt at the end of a 43-119 season.

In 88 games in 2025, Toglia hit .190, struck out 132 times in 337 plate appearances and finished with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs. He was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque three times, and though he was recalled on Sept. 29, his final appearance with the Rockies occurred on Sept. 11.

Right-handed-hitting Warming Bernabel, 23, supplanted Toglia and hit .252 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 40 games before missing the final weeks with a concussion, while right-handed-hitting Blaine Crim, 28, hit .241 with five homers and 12 RBIs in 15 games. Both players were making their respective Colorado debuts.

Rolison (1-0, 7.02 ERA in 31 games) dealt with multiple injuries while in the Minors, and he was not invited to Major League camp in 2025. Yet he debuted on May 13 and bounced between the Rockies and Albuquerque the rest of the way.

Bernardino adds experience to the Rockies' bullpen. Last season, the 33-year-old went 4-3 with a 3.14 ERA and one save in 51 2/3 innings over 55 games, which included three starts. He is 10-8 with a 3.47 ERA and one save in 169 Major League games (12 starts) with the Mariners (2022) and Red Sox (2023-25). Bernardino has one Minor League option remaining.

Hughes, 24, the team’s No. 1 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Gonzaga, made progress in 2025 after missing the ‘24 Minor League season because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Hughes was a combined 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts -- nine with Double-A Hartford, 14 with Albuquerque and one in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League when the Rockies paused his season because of right shoulder soreness.

Thompson, 24, came in the first round of the same ‘22 Draft that produced Hughes, with Colorado selecting him 31st overall out of the University of Florida. Over four Minor League seasons, Thompson has been a strong offensive performer -- producing a .279/.360/.459 slash line with 47 home runs and 189 RBIs -- but he has not been called up to join a Colorado outfield crowded with young players. He played infield and outfield for much of the early part of his career, but he has settled on the outfield during the past two seasons.

Herrera, 21, was signed in January 2021 out of Fantino, Dominican Republic. He earned his roster spot with a strong Arizona Fall League performance, following a 2025 regular season during which he went 5-5 with a 2.64 ERA and 17 saves in 52 appearances with High-A Spokane and Hartford.