Rockies select the contract of RHP Nick Masset

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Nick Masset from Triple-A Colorado Springs. To make room on the active roster for Masset, the Rockies have optioned infielder Ryan Wheeler to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Additionally, the Rockies have transferred right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list (right elbow strain). Masset (#37) will be available for tonight's Rockies vs. Rangers game at Coors Field (6:40 p.m. MDT).

Masset, 31, is looking to make a return to the Major League mound for the first time since 2011 with Cincinnati. He is a veteran of six Major League seasons with Texas (2006), the Chicago White Sox (2007-08) and Cincinnati (2008-13). He spent the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons on the disabled list due to a right shoulder injury. The St. Petersburg, FL native was signed by Colorado to a Minor League contract on February 1st. He began the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs where in eight scoreless appearances he has allowed 1 hit, 1 walk and struck out 9 batters in 7.2 innings. In 308 career games, Masset is 16-14 with 4 saves and a 3.78 ERA (333.0 ip, 140 er), 142 walks and 285 strikeouts. Masset totaled 54 holds across three seasons with the Reds from 2009-2011. 

Wheeler, 25, saw action in two games for Colorado after being recalled on Friday. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. He began 2014 at Triple-A, where he has played in 24 games this year, hitting .247 (24-for-97) with 6 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI and 10 runs. In 2013, Wheeler spent majority of the year with Colorado Springs but saw action in 28 games with the Rockies over three stints. In 80 Major League games, he has hit .240 (37-for-154) with 8 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs, 18 RBI and 13 runs.

Chatwood, 24, was originally placed on the disabled list on April 30th. He made his second career Opening Day roster and has made four starts for the Rockies this year, going 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA (24.0 ip, 12 er). This is Chatwood's second stint on the disabled list this year as he was on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring strain from April 2-14. Last year, he started 20 games for the Rockies and went 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA (111.1 ip, 39 er), 41 walks and 66 strikeouts. His eight wins were a season high and his 66 strikeouts were eight shy of matching his season high (74 in 2011). The Redlands, CA native has appeared in 70 Major League games, with 61 starts, going 20-22 with 1 save and a 4.34 ERA (342.0 ip, 165 er), 153 walks and 201 strikeouts.

The Rockies currently have a full 40-man roster.