Colorado Rockies reliever Brooks Brown claimed by Dodgers; 3 others outrighted to minors

Colorado Rockies reliever Brooks Brown was claimed off of waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers and fellow relievers Gonzalez Germen and Simon Castro as well as catcher Michael McKenry were outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, the team announced:

Today the #Rockies made the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/lQHVE0LA9S

— Rockies PR (@RockiesPR) October 14, 2015

Brown made 36 appearances for the Rockies this year, battling various injuries. He had a 4.91 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 33 innings, walking 16 and striking out 20. He had a 2.77 ERA in 26 innings with the Rockies in 2014.

As for those staying in the organization, Germen made 29 appearances for the Rockies this season, one of which was a start, after being claimed off of waivers from the Cubs. He had a 3.86 ERA despite walking 21 in 32⅔ innings, striking out 25. Castro made 11 appearances late in the season for the Rockies, allowing seven runs in 10⅓ innings.

McKenry spent most of the season as the Rockies' backup catcher, playing 58 games and hitting .205/.329/.402 with 14 extra-base hits in 127 at bats before missing the final six weeks of the season with a knee injury.

The moves free up four precious spots on the Rockies' 40-man roster, which will be important when it comes time to protect players for December's Rule V Draft.