Rockies select right-handed pitchers Luis Perdomo and Luis Niebla in Rule 5 draft

The Rockies selected a couple of right-handed pitchers in the Rule 5 draft, according to tweets from Baseball America's JJ Cooper. The Rockies took right-handed pitcher Luis Perdomo, who comes from the Cardinals' organization, with the fourth selection in the draft. Additionally, the Rockies have selected Luis Niebla from the Yankees' organization.

Perdomo is a 22 year-old right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic. He logged two years of rookie ball in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, he posted a 4.25 ERA in 72 innings pitched across Low-A, Class-A, and High-A. Perdomo's workload increased in 2015; in Class-A and High-A, Perdomo put up a 3.98 ERA in 126 ⅔ innings pitched. He started in 22 of his 23 games. Because he hasn't pitched above High-A, he's likely to begin the season in the bullpen for the Rockies.

Perdomo appeared in the 2014 Futures Game. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo states that Perdomo has two primary pitches: A fastball that can reach the upper 90s and a hard breaking ball. He also notes that Perdomo has "an even feel for the change." The possibility of a three pitch mix suggests that, in the long term, he could work as a starter. If Perdomo is stashed in the bullpen for the 2016 season, it's possible that the Rockies would then give him time in the minors starting in 2017 to develop as a starter.

Under Rule 5 constraints, Perdomo must remain on the Rockies' active roster for the entirety of the 2016 season. If he is taken off the active roster, he must be offered back to the Cardinals.

Those restrictions don't apply to Niebla, who the Rockies selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Niebla, 24, posted a 4.50 ERA in 60 mostly relief innings across High and Double-A in 2015. Unlike Perdomo, Niebla does not need to be added to the active, or even 40-man, roster. He's likely to begin 2016 in the upper minors as a reliever.

The additions of Chad Qualls, Jason Motte, and Perdomo mean that the Rockies' 40-man roster is now full. And that means there could be more transactions on the horizon. Stay tuned.

UPDATE (9:53 a.m. MT): The Rockies didn't keep Perdomo for long. He was traded to the Padres, according to Thomas Harding. That leaves an open spot on the Rockies' 40-man roster.

#Rockies trade their Rule 5 Draft pick, RHP Luis Perdomo, (from #Cardinals), to #Padres for player to be named or cash considerations.

— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) December 10, 2015