The Colorado Rockies unconditionally released starting pitcher Austin Gomber on Friday afternoon, bringing an unceremonious close to the final chapter of the Nolan Arenado trade.
Gomber was the centerpiece of Colorado’s return in the 2021 trade that sent Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, and one of only two players from that trade to see MLB action with the Rockies, joining infielder Elehuris Montero, who is now playing in Japan. Through 125 outings with Colorado, Gomber posted an overall ERA of 5.31 in 601.2 innings with an ERA+ of 90 (MLB average is 100).
This season, Gomber struggled with his health and pitching. A left shoulder injury caused him to miss the start of the 2025 campaign and not make his season debut until June 15. He went 0-7 with a 7.49 ERA and allowed 82 hits in 57.2 innings. Included in those hits were 16 home runs, continuing a problematic trend for Gomber with the long ball. Last season, he led the National League with 30 home runs allowed.
After his last start for the Rockies resulted in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night in Denver, Gomber told reporters, “I feel like I’m in a tough spot right now, I felt like I let the team down. I feel like I’m a little bit lost out there right now. I don’t really have any confidence, conviction. I don’t have an identity of what I’m trying to do.”
Two days after those words were uttered, the Rockies reportedly placed Gomber on outright waivers, a move that was never confirmed by the club.
The 31-year-old Gomber was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. He was making $6.35 million this season.
Gomber’s release opens up more opportunities in the Rockies rotation for young pitchers like Tanner Gordon, Chase Dollander and Bradley Blalock. Gomber’s next scheduled start was likely coming on Sunday in Pittsburgh against Pirates ace Paul Skenes, but the Rockies will shift their rotation around now with Gomber’s absence and an off day scheduled for Monday.