Another week in Rockies transactions. Let's break it down.
MLB
The Rockies assigned Charlie Blackmon on a rehab assignment to the Sky Sox last Friday. The assignment was short lived, as Blackmon was activated from the disabled list the following day and optioned to AAA to replace the injured Tim Wheeler. Blackmon's option, when it becomes official, will be his first. The Rockies also optioned Jordan Pacheco (to work on his defense with regular playing time at third base) and Tyler Chatwood (to return to starting). Each will be burning their second option years. The moves made room for Drew Pomeranz and Edgmer Escalona, respectively. Both players were on optional assignment to the minors, but were recalled before their options were burned. If either player goes the rest of the season without being optioned, they will retain the option year into the following seasons.
Guillermo Moscoso saw his bonus option burned today. He is now eligible to be optioned the rest of the season regardless of service time but will be out of free options and have to clear waivers with no exceptions to reach the minors beginning in 2013. Last week, I forgot to include Zach Putnam among the players who saw their options burned. It was his first.
Click after the jump to read about the MiLB transactions of the week.
AAA
The Sky Sox placed outfielder Tim Wheeler on the 7 Day Disabled List as he prepares to undergo surgery on his hand. He is expected to be out 6-8 weeks. Also placed on the disabled list was LHP Jared Wells, the Sky Sox' oldest pitcher, with back spasms, making room for Pacheco's activation from the Reserve List. Escalona and Chatwood switched places on the roster.
AA
Reliever Kurt Yacko was demoted to Modesto to replace the injured Bruce Kern as closer. Royce Ring was added to the Tulsa roster after beginning the year in Extended Spring Training. Since the recall of Pomeranz to the Rockies, the Drillers have yet to fill his roster spot, meaning they have played most of this week down one player on the roster. They may be waiting for an opportunity to activate Chad Bettis, or for someone to be demoted from the Sky Sox when Chatwood joins their rotation.
A+
Bruce Kern was placed on the 7 Day Disabled List with an unspecified injury, reported to be forearm tightness. Soon after, Josh Mueller hit the disabled list as well. Craig Bennigson was promoted from Asheville to replace him on the roster, bumping long reliever Leuris Gomez into the Modesto rotation. FInally, the Nuts activated Rafael Ortega from the disabled list, where he had begun the season. Juan Crousset, who was received from Extended Spring Training to replace Kyle Parker when he went down last week, was re-assigned to the Dust Devils and will return to work out in their pre-season EST camp in Arizona.
A
Juan Perez was assigned to the Tourists from Extended Spring Training to fill Bennigson's spot in the Asheville bullpen.
Other
One week after being signed, the Rockies released pitching convert Brian Anderson, presumably because the Rockies did not project to be able to give him an assignment to a team and didn't want him taking up innings in EST games from younger players.
The big story of the week, however, was the sudden release of Albert Campos, one of the organizations most projectable pitching prospects. No official statement was given by the team, but the move surprised not only us here at Purple Row, but scouts and MiLB followers all around the country. There are many rumors flying about regarding what happened; for further discussion, check out this morning's rockpile by Andrew Martin.
That's a wrap. See you next week.