The Rockies reassigned Hiura to minor-league camp Wednesday. Though he's just 28 years old and has three double-digit home-run seasons on his resume at the MLB level, Hiura's high strikeout rates and lack of defensive flexibility have made it difficult for him to stick in the big leagues over the past two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level and settled for a minor-league deal with the Rockies this winter upon reaching free agency. Hiura hit just .167 and struck out in nine of his 18 at-bats in Cactus League play, so his dismissal from big-league camp comes as little surprise. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.
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The Rockies reassigned Hiura to minor-league camp Wednesday. Though he's just 28 years old and has three double-digit home-run seasons on his resume at the MLB level, Hiura's high strikeout rates and lack of defensive flexibility have made it difficult for him to stick in the big leagues over the past two seasons. He spent the majority of the 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level and settled for a minor-league deal with the Rockies this winter upon reaching free agency. Hiura hit just .167 and struck out in nine of his 18 at-bats in Cactus League play, so his dismissal from big-league camp comes as little surprise. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Veen is making a case for a starting role in Colorado's outfield to begin the regular season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Saunders didn't report anything concrete, so Veen's status to begin the season is far from certain. However, he has maintained a 1.038 OPS across 41 at-bats this spring and has two home runs paired with six stolen bases. Those numbers are tempered by a 25.5 percent strikeout rate, but Veen's fantasy potential would be substantial should he crack the roster.
Manager Bud Black announced Sunday that Freeland will start Opening Day against the Rays on March 28, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports. The left-hander is one of Colorado's longest-tenured players and will take the mound in the season opener after posting a 5.24 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 85:26 K:BB across 113.1 innings last year. Freeland has pitched well in spring training with three earned runs allowed and an 11:1 K:BB over 9.2 frames.
The Rockies optioned Gilbreath to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday. Gilbreath made his 2024 debut in mid-August after recovering from Tommy John surgery from March of 2023. He underwent neurogenic thoracic surgery near his left neck/shoulder in the offseason, which limited him to one outing in spring training came March 10 against the Giants, when he allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one in one frame. Gilbreath will begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A, but he should have an opportunity to rejoin the parent club at some point in the year when there's a need of depth in the bullpen.
Estrada was pulled from Saturday's Cactus League game against the White Sox after getting hit in the head, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. Estrada was hit in the head by Michael Taylor's foot while tagging him out at second base in the fourth frame. Estrada was able to finish the half-inning but was replaced by a pinch hitter in the fifth. Manager Bud Black said the incident shook Estrada up quite a bit, but his removal was precautionary and he likely won't need to miss much time.
Doyle has collected 10 hits across 34 at-bats while striking out only seven times across 11 Cactus League games. Doyle was anointed Colorado's leadoff hitter this offseason after the retirement of Charlie Blackmon, and he's occupied that position in all 11 games this spring. He's hit well, but there are a few noteworthy portions of his line, including the fact that he's taken zero walks and attempted only one stolen base. Doyle will presumably pick up his stolen base pace during the regular season, as he swiped 30 bags in 2024 with a success rate of 85.7 percent.
Stallings went 2-for-2 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians. Stallings is locked in as Colorado's primary catcher to begin the season, mostly due to his sturdy defense and veteran leadership. However, he flashed some pop by delivering his first homers of spring training Thursday. Overall, Stallings has collected six hits across 21 at-bats this spring.
Bryant went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres. Bryant began the spring positively with a two-run home run with an exit velocity of 111.8 mph. However, he's gone just 2-for-19 with six strikeouts since. Positively, Bryant has remained healthy and is still projected to serve as Colorado's primary DH.