:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10369001/163101738.0.jpg)
The Colorado Rockies have signed right-hander Jon Garland to a one-year, $500k contract, with more than $2 million available in incentives, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
More Rockies: Walking On the Road to Victory
Garland, 33, put up solid numbers this spring with the Mariners -- a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings -- but Seattle didn't have room for him in their rotation so they granted him his release over the weekend. The veteran right-hander will now likely take over the No. 5 spot in Colorado's starting staff, joining Jhoulys Chacin, Jeff Francis, Jorge De La Rosa, and Juan Nicasio in the rotation.
Rockies ink Alvarado
Colorado has signed right-hander Giancarlo Alvarado to a minor-league deal.
The Rockies had young left-hander Drew Pomeranz slotted into the final spot of the rotation, but his rough spring coupled with Garland's high ground ball rate has likely relegated the southpaw to a spot starter role.
Garland hasn't pitched in a big-league game since June of 2011 because of a major shoulder injury, but the Rockies obviously saw something they liked this spring. The right-hander owns a career 4.32 ERA and 4.9 K/9 rate in parts of 12 MLB seasons, but has a proclivity for giving up the long ball (1.1 HR/9) -- despite his ground-ball tendencies -- that could spell trouble in Coors Field.
To make room on the roster for their new starter, the Rockies have returned Rule 5 Draft pick Danny Rosenbaum to the Nationals. The 25-year-old left-hander threw eight innings for Colorado this spring, allowing four runs on two long balls while failing to strike anyone out.
Rosenbaum spent the last two seasons pitching for the Nats' Double-A affiliate -- posting a 3.61 ERA and 5.8 K/9 rate in 194⅔ innings -- so he'll likely work his way into the Triple-A rotation this year.
