Rockies skipper Walt Weiss says Rafael Betancourt has been designated for assignment, Thomas Harding of MLB.com tweets. The Rockies manager also wondered aloud if Betancourt could be picked up by another team in the next ten days.
Weiss went on to call Betancourt a “warrior” and he said that his conversation with the veteran right-hander was tough (link). Weiss said that he admired the way Betancourt came back from Tommy John surgery and gave him a tip of the cap for his Rockies career.
In 45 games for the Rockies this season, Betancourt has struggled, pitching to a 6.18 ERA, although his 9.2 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 rates are not that far off from his career numbers. Betancourt was a fixture in the Rockies’ bullpen for many years, finishing out 136 games over parts of six seasons. In his 12 total MLB seasons with the Indians and Colorado, Betancourt owns a 3.36 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9.
To follow the status of Betancourt and other players in DFA limbo, check out MLBTR’s DFA Tracker.
I think it’s time to call it. He’s 40. He’s already the age people retire at
Get the man out of Coors. 3.32 FIP with somewhat strong secondary stats.