Rockies questioned by MLB about adding Axford to major league roster

Colorado signed reliever John Axford to a minor league deal back on February 2nd, now the club is being questioned about adding him to the 40-man roster so quickly.

Per Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal

Reliever John Axford signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Feb. 2. The team made it a major-league deal on March 1, guaranteeing Axford $2.6 million with the chance to earn more in performance bonuses.

What happened? Did Axford look that good in his early bullpen sessions?

Rival clubs, finding the matter curious, contacted baseball to question the Rockies’ handling of their 40-man roster, according to major-league sources. To clear a spot for Axford, the team placed right-hander Tyler Chatwood on the 60-day disabled list.

Such a move was not available to the Rockies at the time they signed Axford; teams cannot use the 60-day DL during the offseason. The Rockies would have needed to bump — and risk losing — another player from their 40-man roster.

Rosenthal goes on to explain that nothing will likely come of these complaints. The Rockies could explain this move as showing the rest of the club they are serious about winning by adding a veteran pitcher to a bullpen that was horrid a year ago.

Still, pretty convenient for the Rockies to make a move like this as soon as it was available to them. Is this foul play or just Colorado taking what the defense gives them?