The Colorado Rockies on Tuesday reinstated shortstop Trevor Story from the 10-day disabled list, the club announced. As a corresponding move, starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Story, who was placed on the DL on May 11 with a shoulder strain, had three hits in 11 at-bats spanning four games in a rehab assignment with the Isotopes. The second-year shortstop homered and drew a pair of walks as well. Prior to his injury, Story hit .180/.289/.396 with six home runs, 17 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 128 trips to the plate.
The Rockies have Story coming off the bench in his first game back with the big league club.
Hoffman on Monday was brilliant in a spot start as a result of the Rockies playing a doubleheader in Minnesota last week. The rookie right-hander allowed just one run in seven innings in the Rockies’ 8-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He gave up just three hits and didn’t walk a batter while striking out seven.
That makes two terrific efforts in as many starts for Hoffman this season, conjuring up questions about whether he—or someone else—should have been the victim of the corresponding move for Story’s return. But Tuesday starter Tyler Chatwood, whose recent struggles have made him a popular pick among fans to be relegated to a bullpen role, is historically a better pitcher on the road, and keeping the rotation as is for right now would help alleviate any potential depth concerns if another starter happens to experience an injury or additional performance-related setback.
Of course, things could change once the Rockies have an opportunity to reset or reshuffle their rotation. However, coming off of a couple of recent doubleheaders and very few days off doesn’t represent the best time for such a decision, particularly with two starting pitchers—Jon Gray and Chad Bettis—already on the DL.
Hoffman will have to stay on his minor league assignment for a minimum of 10 days unless an injury forces the Rockies to recall him. In seven Triple-A starts this season, he owns a 3.46 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 14 walks in 29 innings.