Following the finger injury suffered by Daniel Murphy, the Rockies have called up infielder Pat Valaika to fill his roster spot, according to Nick Groke of The Athletic. It’s expected that Murphy will miss several weeks with a fractured index finger, so Valaika, 26, will occupy a bench role for the foreseeable future. Ryan McMahon, though, looks to be the team’s first baseman in Murphy’s absence.
Valaika has played all over the infield in his career and should replace McMahon as the Rockies’ reserve infielder, with McMahon sliding into a starting role while Murphy is on the shelf. Valaika has played in parts of three seasons for the Rockies, including a career-best 2017 season in which he slashed .258/.284/.533 with 13 home runs in 110 games. Though he scuffled to just a .460 OPS last season, he slugged 4 home runs in 49 spring training at-bats. Valaika should fill in capably while Murphy recovers, but the team will surely miss its big-free agent signing after he suffered injury just days into his Rockies career.
I read it as “Pat Venditte”, who’s on the Giants lol
Pat Valaika any good? Had -1.2 fWAR -1.3 bWAR 2018..
No
Heh. Sorry I saw no upside, and love when I get the “fan” homer scouting reports. Why I made the acc!
The stats showed no upside…I’ll plead ignorance.
Easy fellas theres more than 1 way to judge a player
if your going to answer your own question you don’t need to ask it.
He was their best pinch hitter in 2017. He had a very poor offensive, not bad defensive 2018. So yes he is good enough to be a utility guy, but if he is a starter you are in trouble.
Is Yu Darvish any good? He used to be, but it’s gone down hill. Last year mostly injured, not much that bad. This offseason:
Don’t blame the owners or the players association for collusion, or being to cheap. I think it is Yu Darvish’s fault. Think about it! If the Cubs weren’t paying Darvish the would have money left to be competitive in the market. Harper and Machado would have signed in November, Keuchel, Kimbrel, and whom ever else unsinged would sign in December.
Now he has a 10 + ERA this season. Maybe release Yu.
This is very random
Yes indeed
Wouldn’t Hampson step in for more of a role?
id imagine Hampson gets most of the starts, and Valaika is mostly utility.
Yeah, he is probably there just to fill a roster spot as well.
His brother is Chris. I remember him from the Reds. National League, right? Think if it was hot, they would turn on the ac.
“Valaika should fill in capably while Murphy recovers”
If this was likely, they probably wouldn’t have guaranteed Murphy multiple eight-figure seasons.
Wasn’t McMahon the Rox’s starting 2B? Hampson was the reserve INF.
Yes
Yes Hampson will be staring until they realize they need Rodgers
Hampson is a stud though, doubt he’ll under perform, especially not enough to where Rodgers.is clearly who should be starting.
Yay! Valaika’s my favorite on the Rox. Hope he can get into some good spots. Bummer for Murphy, though.