After an extended stint on the 60-day IL due to a shoulder injury, the Colorado Rockies activated LHP Austin Gomber to start on Father’s Day against the Atlanta Braves. In a corresponding move, RHP Zach Agnos was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com.
The #Rockies are activating LHP Austin Gomber from the 60-day IL for his season Major League debut and a Father’s Day start vs. the #Braves. Development time for RHP Zach Agnos, who is being optioned to the Triple-A @ABQTopes.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) June 15, 2025
Austin Gomber Reinforces Rockies Rotation
Gomber was set to be an integral member of the Rockies rotation before suffering a shoulder injury in spring training. However, Gomber’s injury did give prized rookie RHP Chase Dollander crucial time in the rotation this season. Gomber’s return coincides with several moves concerning the Rockies rotation.
RHP Ryan Feltner has been on the 15-day IL with back spasms since April 29. The Rockies transferred Feltner to the 60-day IL after Gomber’s activation. LHP Kyle Freeland is being placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to Thursday with low back stiffness. LHP Carson Palmquist is being called up in place of Freeland and will start tomorrow night against the Washington Nationals.
The #Rockies are placing LHP Kyle Freeland on the 15-day IL with low back stiffness. The move is retroactive to Thursday, the day after his last start. LHP Carson Palmquist, in Atlanta today as a taxi squad member, will be activated to start tomorrow night vs. the #Nationals.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) June 15, 2025
Is Gomber a Potential Trade Candidate?
For the Rockies, Gomber’s debut came at an opportune time. The 13-57 Rockies are nowhere near contention and need to build up as many trade assets as they can ahead of the deadline. The Rockies were actively shopping Austin Gomber this offseason as part of an effort to shed payroll. If Gomber’s debut is a preview of what’s to come, he could be in store for another solid season. Gomber shut down the Braves offense in five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits with four strikeouts to one walk.
This is Gomber’s fifth season with the Rockies after coming over from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Nolan Arenado trade. He has had a solid career in the purple pinstripes. In 113 games, he has posted a 5.08 ERA, going 28-37 with a K:BB ratio of 411:156. Gomber has earned a 3.7 WAR in his time with the Rockies. Last season, he posted a 4.75 ERA with a K:BB ratio of 116:38 in 165 innings pitched. The 4.75 ERA was the lowest for Gomber since his debut season in Colorado.
His 2.2 WAR last season was far and away a career-best as he was consistently one of the Rockies’ most reliable rotation members. Gomber’s 30 home runs allowed in 2024 were a career high. But opposing teams may look past that, considering he pitches at Coors Field. If he puts up similar numbers to last season, he could be an attractive trade candidate for Colorado at the deadline. The big question, as it always is with Colorado, is whether they will pull the trigger when the opportunity comes.
Main Photo Credit: © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
