The Rockies have traded T.J. Zeuch to the Phillies, according to the right-hander’s transaction log at MLB.com. He was not on Colorado’s 40-man roster, so he’ll add some non-roster depth to the upper minors with Philadelphia.
Zeuch signed a minor league deal with Colorado over the offseason. The 6’7″ hurler pitched four times this spring, allowing eight runs in as many innings with seven strikeouts and five walks. Even with the Rox having a decent amount of uncertainty at the back end of the rotation, that predictably wasn’t enough to land him a roster spot. Colorado trades away a depth starter for the second time today after sending righty Tony Locey to Tampa Bay this morning.
The Phillies have been hit with a number of pitching injuries over the past few weeks. Ranger Suárez has been bothered by elbow soreness this spring and might start the year on the injured list. Top pitching prospect Andrew Painter, who entered camp battling for the fifth starter job, went down with a UCL sprain. Depth arms Cristopher Sánchez and Nick Nelson have battled injuries of their own. That pushes expected reliever Matt Strahm into the season-opening rotation and has a trickle-down effect on the minor league depth.
Zeuch will open the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. A former first-round draftee of the Blue Jays, he’s pitched in parts of four big league campaigns. The Pitt product has a 6.49 ERA across 59 2/3 major league innings, posting a quality grounder rate but dismal strikeout and walk numbers. He has a 4.71 ERA over 216 innings at the Triple-A level.
NL East rivals praying he pitches for their big league team this year, he stinks.
AAAA depth, nothing to see here
Yes that’s my point he’s depth rivals are hoping they need to use that depth because he sucks.
If he’s pitching in Philly there’s probably been a plane crash or he discovers two new pitches.
This isn’t a major league signing at all.
It will be once Wheeler goes down
Wheeler only gets injured when he plays for trash organizations like the Mets.
T.J. Zeuch is about 115 on the Phillies pitching depth chart.
Disclaimer: This is an obvious joke aimed at Curly. Mets fans relax.
TJZ is a cool nickname
I was hoping he would have played a game for the Rockies. He would have been last alphabetically in team history replacing Todd Zeile.. Alas, not to be.
Lets hope the Rockies do better this season.
Big boy, maybe they need a bouncer/bodyguard?
Just seems like a reclamation project for Cotham.
Decent depth for PHI
“Even with the Rox having a decent amount of uncertainty at the back end of the rotation, that predictably wasn’t enough to land him a roster spot.” – what is this sentence supposed to mean?
T.J. Zoinks!
Gadzeuchs!
“Rockies Trade T.J. Zeuch To Phillies” So, who did the Phillies trade to the Rockies for him?
Doesn’t anyone proofread writer’s articles anymore before publishing?
LOLphillies.
I would not be surprised if Dave D made a more significant trade for an established starter..All depends how much the team really knows about these current injuries…
Spahn and Sain and pray for rain? I couldn’t help myself…..I apologize !