The Rockies have acquired right handed starting pitcher Clay Mortensen from Oakland in exchange for minor league starter Ethan Hollingsworth, the Rockies announced via Twitter earlier this evening. Mortensen, who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round as a sandwich pick in the 2007 draft, was designated for assignment by the Athletics last week. The pitcher was part of the package that wound up sending former Rockie Matt Holliday to St. Louis in July 2009.
Mortensen has had only a small taste of MLB play, having started seven games for the Cardinals and Athletics over the past two years. He has an option year remaining on his contract, and will most likely be joining the AAA rotation to start the season.
RHP Samuel Deduno was designated for assignment to clear room for Mortensen on the 40 Man Roster. While still considered a prospect, Deduno was slow to develop and was older than most of the pitching talent in the upper levels of the organization. He was listed as the #28 PuRP upon Purple Row's last prospect polling. Deduno represented part of a major talent crowding of pitching at the AAA level. Deduno must be traded, waived or released within the next ten days.
#29 PuRP Ethan Hollingsworth, who spent most of 2010 with the A+ Modesto Nuts with a taste at AA Tulsa, went to Oakland in the deal.