The Rockies announced they’ve designated utilityman Cole Tucker for assignment. The move opens an active roster spot for Charlie Blackmon, who is back from the 10-day injured list. Colorado also reinstated Sean Bouchard from the 60-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. The Rox’s 40-man roster remains full.
Tucker had a brief stay on Colorado’s roster. The Rox selected his contract one week ago, plugging him into three games. He collected three singles and a walk in eight trips to the dish. He’s out of minor league options, though, meaning Colorado had to keep him on the active roster or DFA him once they called him up.
They’ll now have a week to put him on waivers. A career .214/.263/.316 hitter in parts of five big league campaigns, the 27-year-old Tucker had a solid .311/.419/.459 showing this season in Albuquerque. Since he’s out of options, any team that claims him would have to plug him directly onto the MLB roster. Tucker has been outrighted before in his career, so he’d have the ability to become a minor league free agent if he clears waivers again.
Blackmon returns after missing more than two months. The veteran outfielder fractured a bone in his right hand in early June. He’ll return to the lineup carrying a solid .265/.347/.422 line through 56 games on the season. Blackmon is playing this year on a $15MM salary and will be a free agent in a couple months.
Bouchard has missed the entire season after undergoing biceps surgery in Spring Training. The 27-year-old impressed with a .297/.454/.500 showing over 97 plate appearances in his first big league action last summer. He’ll get more time in Triple-A before returning to the MLB roster but could get a chance to carve out a role in the first base/corner outfield rotation down the stretch.