The Rockies have claimed right-hander Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Orioles, according to announcements from both clubs. The O’s designated him for assignment last week. The Rockies had an open 40-man spot after they optioned righty Nick Anderson and he exercised his right to elect free agency. Contreras is out of options, so the Rockies will need to open an active roster spot for him once he reports to the team.
Contreras, 25, has been in an awkward position for a while now. He exhausted his final option season with the Pirates in 2023 and was therefore out of options going into 2024. He has shown enough potential to draw plenty of interest from other clubs but often just enough to be the last guy on the roster.
The Pirates designated him for assignment in May of last year, which kicked off a rampage through the transaction logs. Over the next few months, via small trades or waiver claims, he went to the Angels, Rangers, Reds, Orioles, Yankees and Orioles again.
The O’s finally passed him through waivers unclaimed around Opening Day 2025, allowing them to keep him as non-roster depth. He tossed 91 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk over 14 starts and 14 relief appearances. In that time, he had a 3.73 earned run average. His 8.4% walk rate and 40.9% ground ball rate were close to average but his 17.8% strikeout rate was subpar. The O’s called him up for one long relief appearance in the majors, in which he tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings, but then sent him back into DFA limbo.
His previous big league work largely aligns with that recent Triple-A showing. He has thrown 239 major league innings with a 4.63 ERA, 19.6% strikeout rate, 10% walk rate and 39.3% ground ball rate.
He’s a sensible pickup for the Rockies, who almost always need more pitching. That’s certainly true this year, as their collective 6.01 ERA is easily the worst in the majors. The Nationals are second-last on that list but almost a full run better that Colorado at 5.33. They are about to lose Germán Márquez to free agency and released Austin Gomber not long ago.
Contreras is out of options but has just over two years of service time, meaning he can be retained for four seasons beyond this one. The Rockies can get a close-up look at him down the stretch here in 2025 and decide if they want to work him into their plans for 2026 and beyond. He has experience working both from the rotation and the bullpen and could potentially take either role with the Rockies.
Photo courtesy of James A. Pittman, Imagn Images
10 years separating both players mentioned. Anderson looks like he’s on his way out, Contreras is still young enough to maybe develop into a better pitcher perhaps, but what do I know I just cut grass.
You probably know more than some of these posters who think they know it all. AIGM is one
nuts. O’s could have used him back but I get that with his inconsistency,.trying to keep him on the roster without options and hoping he’d be able to reproduce his appearance was wishful thinking. totally makes sense for the Rox though. hope he can make a home there in Denver. maybe the 2nd hand skunkweed will help him remain calm.
I realize it was just one appearance but good riddance. Glad he’s out of Baltimore as man did he look good against the Red Sox in his last appearance.
Wasn’t the first time either. Remember his start against them when he was with the Pirates in ’23 at Fenway? 5.2 innings and all the Sox could get was 3 hits and 1 one off him. They made up for the next time the saw him but he’s had a couple of really good outings against them
Atta kid, Rox! Best move y’all made all year.
Honestly thinking the same thing. One of the better waiver pickups by the Rox. Cant wait to see his 5.00+ era! (Hope not)
The business may prove me wrong but I think he sticks with the rockies a bit longer than normal. Always liked him and can safely say he’s better than a lot of their arms now.
Contreras should help the Rox get their team ERA to 6.50
He feels like a guy who needs a couple of seasons in Japan or Korea. Not everyone comes back better, but enough do that it might be a good option if he’s released again.