Just In: Rockies Signed Contract With 26-Years Old

The Rockies have inked Peyton Battenfield to a minor league contract, as indicated on the right-hander’s MLB.com profile. Battenfield was recently let go by the Mets but has now found a new home with his fifth professional baseball organization.

Originally selected in the ninth round of the 2019 draft by the Astros, Battenfield was later traded to Tampa Bay and then to Cleveland in a 2021 deadline deal involving Jordan Luplow. Although he briefly joined Cleveland’s active roster in 2022, he didn’t see any game action until 2023, recording a 5.19 ERA over 34 2/3 innings with the Guardians.

Injuries in Cleveland’s rotation granted Battenfield some opportunities, but shoulder inflammation landed him on the 60-day injured list, ending his MLB appearances after May 17. Cleveland later designated him for assignment, and the Mets claimed him although he never made it onto their big league roster.

Battenfield holds a career Triple-A ERA of 4.19 over 210 1/3 innings, with a strikeout rate of 15.48%, showing a decline from his earlier minor league performances. He has struggled with home runs, surrendering seven in his brief MLB stint with the Guardians and 13 in Triple-A Columbus last season.

Moving to the Rockies, known for their hitter-friendly ballpark, might pose challenges for Battenfield given his susceptibility to home runs.

However, he provides much-needed pitching depth for Colorado, especially with Marquez and Senzatela recovering from Tommy John surgeries and Freeland recently placed on the injured list due to an elbow strain. With the Rockies facing pitching woes, a strong showing in the minors could quickly put Battenfield in contention for a call-up.