On Friday afternoon prior to their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Colorado Rockies announced that they have unconditionally released left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber.
Gomber, 31, was the final player with the Rockies that was part of the trade that sent third baseman Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals prior to the 2021 season.
The Florida Atlantic University product was originally selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2014 draft.
Gomber found success in his first season with the Rockies in his first full year as a member of a starting rotation. In 23 starts he posted an ERA of 4.53 over 115 1/3 innings and had an impressive 2.09 ERA at Coors Field. However, a fracture in his lower back prematurely ended his season.
Since then, he has struggled with both injuries and inconsistency. He made just 17 starts in 2022, eventually being moved to the bullpen and finishing the season with a 5.56 ERA over 33 appearances. In 2023 he reclaimed his starting spot but once again had his season end early with lower back inflammation.
Gomber altered his mechanics entering the 2024 season to put less torque on his back and perhaps as a result he enjoyed new success as one of the Rockies’ more reliable starting pitchers. He made 30 starts for the first time in his career and posted a 4.75 ERA over 165 innings of work. It was the second-best ERA in the Rockies rotation, and he was the team’s best pitcher by wins above replacement per Baseball Reference at 2.1 bWAR.
Unfortunately, Gomber’s 2025 got off to a bumpy start. He made just two appearances in spring training before he was shut down with left shoulder soreness and did not rejoin the team until mid-June. Since being activated, Gomber has struggled.
He is winless in 12 starts with an ERA of 7.49 over 57 2/3 innings and has struck out just 34 batters while giving up 16 home runs.
In his most recent start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gomber pitched just three innings while giving up seven earned runs on nine hits—two of which were home runs. After the game he appeared despondent.
“I feel like I’m in a tough spot,” he told local media in the clubhouse. “It sucks to let the team down, more specifically the bullpen. We needed more length than that and I just couldn’t provide it. I just feel like I’m a little bit lost out there right now. I don’t really have any confidence, conviction… Really don’t have an identity of what I’m trying to do. Just trying to figure it out, man… It is what it is.”
“I don’t really have a lot of believe in what I’m doing. I’m just kind of searching as we go.”
On Wednesday night, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Rockies had placed Gomber on outright waivers. This afternoon Gomber was released unconditionally. He was on a one-year deal for $6.35 million after arbitration.
In addition to Gomber’s release, the Rockies announced more roster moves.
Left-handed reliever Lucas Gilbreath has had his contract selected from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
Gilbreath, 29, made 47 appearances out of the Rockies bullpen in 2021 and 2022. However, he missed all of 2023 and most of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.
When Gilbreath returned to the team in late 2024, he struggled in three appearances while giving up six earned runs in just one total inning of work. He was shut back down with left shoulder inflammation and finished the season on the injured list.
Gilbreath returned healthy for spring training, but was designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque prior to Opening Day. This season with the Isotopes he has made 37 appearances and posted a 6.21 ERA with 37 strikeouts over 37 2/3 innings.
The Rockies have also placed right-handed pitcher Dugan Darnell on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation.
Darnell, 28, made his major league debut earlier this season. He has made nine appearances out of the Rockies bullpen with a 3.86 ERA over 11 2/3 innings.
In a corresponding move, the Rockies have recalled right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Chivilli, 23, has had multiple stints with the big league team this season with a 7.29 ERA over 30 appearances and 42 innings. With over a month left in the season, the Rockies will only be able to option Chivilli once more before they must expose him to waivers based on the league’s current collective bargaining agreement.
The Rockies 40-man roster is full.
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