On Friday, the Colorado Rockies announced yet another series of roster-shaking moves prior to opening their home series against the New York Mets.

The Rockies have selected the contract of top infield prospect Ryan Ritter (no. 17 PuRP) from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. He will make his debut tonight, batting sixth in the order and playing shortstop.

He is expected to wear no. 8 on his jersey. Recent free agent signing Orlando Arcia has switched to no. 11.

Ritter, 24, was selected by the Rockies in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB draft out of the University of Kentucky. Originally considered a glove-first defensive prospect, the Illinois native has put up strong offensive numbers since joining the Rockies organization.

The Rockies named Ritter their May organizational Player of the Month after he hit .381/.445/.918 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs over 24 games with the Isotopes. He was also named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks and held a 17-game hitting streak dating back to May 14th.

This news, unfortunately, means that starting shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is headed back to the injured list, retroactive to June 3rd.

Tovar missed a full month of play earlier this season with a left hip contusion, but helped a struggling offense upon his return. Since May 16th, he has slashed .306/.348/.516 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs through 16 games. He suffered a left oblique strain during the Rockies’ contest against the New York Mets on June 2nd.

To make room on the 40-man roster, veteran catcher Jacob Stallings has been granted unconditional release.

Stallings, 35, returned to the Rockies on a one year, $2 million contract with a mutual option for 2026 over the off-season. He had one of the best offensive seasons of his career in 2024, hitting .263/.357/.453 with 17 doubles, a triple, and a career-high nine home runs over 82 games as the Rockies’ backup catcher.

The former Gold Glove backstop has struggled this season, hitting just .143/.217/.179 in 28 games with only three extra-base hits. He is currently worth a career low -1.0 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference.

To replace Stallings as the backup catcher behind Hunter Goodman, the Rockies have recalled 26-year-old rookie Braxton Fulford (No. 38 PuRP) from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Fulford made his debut earlier this season and went 1-for-8 during his brief big league stint. His lone hit was a solo home run—the first of his career.

Down in Albuquerque, Fulford has been hitting well as the Isotopes’ primary catcher. In 30 games and 117 plate appearances, he has slashed .314/.393/.608 with eight doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 21 RBIs.

In addition, right-handed reliever Zach Agnos has been reinstated from the Bereavement List following the passing of his grandfather.

Agnos, 24, holds a 1.50 ERA over 16 appearances out of the Rockies bullpen with four saves.

The Rockies’ 40-man roster is currently full.

Purple Row will continue to monitor this developing story.

★ ★ ★

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!