Rockies call up Riley Pint and Aaron Schunk, designate Alan Trejo for assignment

Pint and Schunk look to bolster the bullpen and bench

After placing Jake Bird on the 10-day injured list with a groin strain on Thursday, the Colorado Rockies have finally filled his roster spot prior to their weekend series against the Chicago White Sox. The team announced they have recalled reliever Riley Pint from Triple-A Albuquerque and selected the contract of infielder Aaron Schunk in an additional move.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Alan Trejo has been designated for assignment.

For Pint, this marks the first time since his brief one-out debut appearance on May 17, 2023, that he’s back on the big league roster.

The former first-round pick enjoyed a strong start to the season before he was sidelined with an injury on May 7 and was recently activated on June 17. During his time in Albuquerque this season, Pint has pitched to a 3.18 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 16 walks in 17 innings of work over 14 games. Looking to improve the bullpen, the Rockies are surely hoping that Pint’s strikeout numbers will translate to the big league level.

The selection of Schunk brings the Rockies’ 2019 second-round pick to the roster for a chance to make his big league debut.

Fans got a good look at Schunk during spring training where he batted .273/.314/.333 in 20 games while learning to develop his defensive versatility, namely at shortstop. Schunk has worked primarily at third base for Albuquerque this season but has spent 26 games between second and short as well.

Offensively this year, Schunk is batting .291/.339/.469 with seven home runs and 43 RBI along with 24 doubles. He has struck out 53 times against 19 walks and also has 11 stolen bases. While the hitting environment of the Pacific Coast League can be taken with a grain of salt at times, Schunk has proven to have a solid approach at the plate that could work well with irregular playing time.

With Ezequiel Tovar and Brendan Rodgers holding down the fort up the middle and Ryan McMahon locked in at third, Schunk will have to make the most of his time when he does get an opportunity.

It seemed to be only a matter of time before the Rockies had to decide on Trejo with players like Schunk putting up a solid year.

The 28-year-old infielder won back his roster spot as part of the Opening Day roster after the team had designated him for assignment prior to spring training. As a utility infielder, Trejo has shown off his typical solid glove work at second, third and short but left much to be desired with his bat. In 63 at-bats over 28 games, Trejo has slashed .143/.182/.143 with nine hits, one RBI and 15 strikeouts against two walks.

The Rockies have a full 40-man roster.

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