The Rockies announced that outfielder Randal Grichuk has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. To create room on the active roster, Colorado designated left-hander Ty Blach for assignment.
Grichuk underwent surgery in early February to correct a bilateral sports hernia, and the outfielder’s recovery sidelined him through all of Spring Training. As a result, Grichuk spent the first month of the season in extended spring camp and then an eight-game minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque. Though Grichuk has struggled to a meager .288 OPS over 36 Triple-A plate appearances, he is apparently healthy and the Rockies feel he’s ready to return to the big league lineup.
Acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays in March 2022, Grichuk hit .259/.299/.425 with 19 homers over 538 PA with Colorado last season. Between the lack of offense (88 wRC+) and mixed reviews on his defense in right and center field, Grichuk was below the replacement-level line in 2022, with -0.2 fWAR.
Assuming everyone stays healthy, Grichuk likely won’t be getting regular at-bats this season. Kris Bryant and Jurickson Profar have gotten most of the corner outfield work, and the Rockies are giving Charlie Blackmon the occasional start in the corners when he isn’t a DH. Yonathan Daza is currently dealing with a hand injury, so center field might be an avenue for Grichuk to garner some playing time until Daza is better.
Just like in 2022, Blach signed a minor league deal with the Rockies in the offseason and then earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. While Blach didn’t fare too well (5.89 ERA in 44 1/3 innings) in a long relief role last season, things have been even rougher this year, as Blach has allowed at least one run in five of his six outings en route to an 8.18 ERA over 11 innings.
If Blach clears waivers and is outrighted off Colorado’s 40-man roster, he has the ability to reject that assignment and become a free agent. Should he not want to test the open market again, Blach could accept the outright assignment and remain at Triple-A as bullpen depth.
Both Grichuk and Doyle should be ahead of Daza on depth chart. Grichuk will have to start hitting or Doyle will get the bigger time share.
Based on how grichuck is hitting in the pcl..how can he be a better option than daza or doyle right now…those numbers are terrible
A minor league rehab assignment of 30 at bats does not always mean much but sure if Randal is hitting in the 0.100 range after 75 MLB at bats he is d4a material
Rockies really need to move an OF or two. Each of them has SOME value, but all of their values drop if you share four spots among six players. And that doesn’t even include Harold Castro who can easily be the #5 OF and back up infielder.
I’d love to see both Daza and Grichuk traded soon, Daza first, Grichuk if he gets a hot streak going. Get either a big league starting pitcher or a prospect or two. Move forward with a Profar/Doyle/Bryant outfield with Nolan Jones called up as the #4 and Castro the emergency guy. If Jones proves successful, make him the LF and trade Profar.
That would be the ideal case. But Rockies history says that they will keep all of them well past their trade value expiration and eventually will just non tender or lose them via free agency with zero return. But one can always hope.
Yonathan Daza isn’t as bad as you’re making him out to be.
I don’t think Daza is bad and it was not my intention to make him out to be. My whole point was that the Rockies have too many outfielders of value, including Daza. But at this time, there are better options than Daza. Bryant is just better. Profar and Grichuk are likely better. Doyle brings the speed to this team that they desperately need. There is just no room for a solid spray hitter like Daza.
If I thought he was bad, I would argue to DFA him, but he is worth more than that.
Sorry, I just assumed you thought he was a bad player. My bad.
Blach is beautiful. If you’re an opposing hitter.
Actually he has not been quite as bad as Lamet IMO. But maybe they feel Lamet has more upside to try and unlock in this non-competitive season.
MLB just got a bit more handsome.
Ty Blach = Forever Giant!
I was wondering when the first Giants fan would acknowledge this move. Bobby Evans would have already brought him back into the fold if he were still in the FO.