The Rockies announced today that they’ve selected the contract of left-hander Fernando Abad. In corresponding moves, right-hander Peter Lambert was optioned to Triple-A while shortstop Connor Kaiser was designated for assignment.
Abad, 37, made his MLB debut with the Astros back in 2010. The veteran journeyman pitched also pitched for the Nationals, A’s, Twins, Red Sox, Giants, and Orioles throughout his career before landing in Colorado on a minor league deal back in January. Abad was selected to the roster back in May and made three appearances with the Rockies before being designated for assignment and re-signing with the club on a new minor league deal shortly thereafter.
The veteran sports a career 3.82 ERA and 4.31 FIP in 351 innings of work, though most of that success came from 2010-17. Since the end of the 2017 season, Abad has recorded just 33 1/3 innings of work at the big league level with a 5.40 ERA and 5.09 FIP. The lefty has posted impressive numbers with Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, however, with a sterling 1.40 ERA in 25 2/3 innings of work. Those run prevention numbers are especially impressive considering the heightened offensive environment in Triple-A’s Pacific Coast League.
Going forward, Abad will look to re-establish himself at the big league level with the Rockies as part of a bullpen that currently contains Daniel Bard, Brad Hand, Justin Lawrence, and Pierce Johnson as late-inning options. Abad joins Hand and Ty Blach as left-handed options in the bullpen for manager Bud Black.
Making room for Abad on the 40-man roster is shortstop Connor Kaiser, who appeared in just three games with the Rockies when selected to the roster back in June while Ezequiel Tovar was on the paternity list. A third round pick by the Pirates in the 2018 draft, Kaiser posted a roughly league average slash line of .263/.357/.485 in 224 plate appearances at the Triple-A level with the Rockies this season. Still just 26 years old, Kaiser seems likely to be placed on waivers, where any club will have the opportunity to claim him. Should he go unclaimed, the Rockies will have the option to assign Kaiser outright to the minors where he would continue to serve as infield depth for the club.
Clearing space on the active roster, on the other hand, is Lambert. The 26-year-old righty was a second round pick by the Brewers in the 2015 drat and once seemed like a promising prospect, but injuries and ineffectiveness have dogged him in recent years. In 2023, Lambert has posted a 6.29 ERA and a 5.99 FIP in 34 1/3 innings of work at the big league level. As noted by MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, Lambert is expected to pitch out of the rotation in Triple-A, providing the club with additional starting depth going forward.
Wow!!
He’s still around?
I wish I could pitch left handed.
Debuted with Astros in 2010.
A bad move by the Rockies. Seriously, although he was lousy in Boston, I root for anyone willing to still put the work in to get back to the big leagues.
When you put Fernando in the bullpen, you’re gonna have a bad time.
This could be a very abad situation for the Rockies.
I’ll start us off….. Not Abad move if I may say so myself.
I think only time will tell if this is Abad move or not.
He’ll be DFA in 6hrs
Under – over, I’ll take the over but not by much…
I’m always here for Fernando Abad and Wilmer Font transaction news.
Abad transaction.
Abad selection!
Abad Detective Agency—
”Don’t run or hide, we won’t find you anyway.”
Guy was absolutely dominant in AAA in Colorado. A team so bad and so desperate for any type of trade bait couldn’t give him more than 2 innings to this point? Glad they called him up. Reminds me of Matt Wisler dominating AAA for Detroit most of the season.
I don’t understand why Wisler is in the minors at all, especially given his recent success at the MLB level
All I know is he had to settle for a minor league deal because teams didn’t trust last seasons peripherals. But as to why he’s in AAA on an awful team while performing well, I couldn’t tell you.
Why are they benching Nolan Jones again?
He had Abad week
According to the broadcasters last night, Jones is away from the club this weekend being best man at his brother’s wedding.
Guess they can’t use the bereavement list for that, although I’ve known a few marriages where it might have been appropriate.
Will be interesting to see how they juggle the corner OF/1B/DH playing time once Blackmon is back in a few weeks, unless they can manage to trade Cron or Profar. But maybe Kris Bryant will be back on the IL by then so it won’t be an issue.
I guess Nolan’s brother didn’t count on him being in the bigs when he planned the wedding?
They said it was planned around the offseason for the brother, who plays hockey.
I see. Well Jones should be in the lineup everyday once he’s back.
Abad day for Rockies fans. All 6 of them.
Like this dood- he gud
This is a perfect situation, he is a bad pitcher, and Rockies are a bad team.
This is a perfect situation, he is a bad pitcher, and Rockies are a bad team