Rockies promote Tapia to bolster bench
DENVER -- The Rockies recalled left-handed hitting outfielder Raimel Tapia -- hitting .400 through 25 games at Triple-A Albuquerque, on Friday, and optioned righty pitcher Jeff Hoffman back to Triple-A a day after his first Major League win.Tapia was expected to join the team in time for Friday night's game
DENVER -- The Rockies recalled left-handed hitting outfielder
Tapia was expected to join the team in time for Friday night's game against the Dodgers. It is his second call-up of the season. He went 0-for-7, with a couple line drives and a couple more deep fly balls, in two games while filling in for
Tapia can play all three outfield positions, can pinch-hit or pinch-run. The Major League roster is outfielder-heavy, but there wasn't an infielder on the Major League 40-man roster at Albuquerque. They don't need a first baseman, but Stephen Cardullo (who began the year in the Majors) is out with a broken left hand.
"Tapia, the way he's playing, gives us the best player from Triple-A," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "And the guy has hit. With a four-man bench, he'll give you a chance to do some things."
Hoffman, 24, was called up Tuesday as the 26th allotted player in the second game of a doubleheader with the Cubs and gave up a run in 1 1/3 innings. On Thursday, he struck out a career-high eight and gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 10-7 victory over the Dodgers. Hoffman will rejoin Albuquerque's rotation.
Worth noting:
• Righty reliever
"He did a very good job up here," Foster said of Estevez, who was 3-0 with a 7.94 ERA in 13 games, with much better work in tight games or protecting leads than when eating innings with the team behind. "We want him to work on things he has to do. It's a good opportunity for him."
• After a checkup Thursday, right-hander
• Cardullo was hit on the left hand by a pitch from El Paso's
• The Rockies' rookies have helped the rotation cover for
Lefty Harrison Musgrave, who nearly made the Rockies as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, hasn't pitched since May 1 because of a sore hip. He could be pitching in games by the end of the month, player development director Zach Wilson said. Also, righty
The bullpen depth has improved because lefty Jerry Vasto, impressive as a non-roster reliever this spring, has returned after a bout with "dead arm."
• Tony Wolters played his first Minor League rehab game Friday and went 0-for-3 while catching six innings for Albuquerque in Nashville. Wolters has been on the concussion DL since May 3.
Thomas Harding has covered the Rockies since 2000, and for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb and** like his Facebook page**.