Colorado Rockies option David Hale to Triple-A, cut camp roster to 40

The Colorado Rockies optioned right-handed pitcher David Hale to Triple-A Albuquerque, sending him to Minor League camp. The club also sent right-handed pitchers Nelson Gonzalez and Brock Huntzinger, catcher Ryan Casteel and outfielders Kyler Parker and Michael Tauchman to Minor League camp.

Today the #Rockies made the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/7q7vnXqEs7

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 25, 2016

The 28-year-old Hale made 17 appearances for Colorado in 2015, including 12 starts with a 5-5 record and a 6.09 ERA. In his 78.1 big league innings, he had 61 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.468. Hale also started 11 games for Albuquerque last year, where he had an 0-3 record with a 6.66 ERA. The righty was acquired prior to last season from Atlanta.

The former Rockies first round pick Kyle Parker who is not currently on the Rockies 40-man roster was also sent down. His 2015 season consisted of 46 games at the big league level where he slashed .179/.223/.311. He added on three home runs and 11 RBI splitting time between first base and corner outfield. Parker, 26-years-old, has spent most of the last two years in Triple-A, where he has had no issues hitting the level.

Ryan Casteel, who had an abbreviated 2015 season which was spent mostly in Triple-A after Tom Murphy was called up, was also reassigned Friday. His last full season in 2014 at Double-A Tulsa saw him hitting .280/.341/.445, knocking out 16 home runs and knocking in 56 RBI.

Michael Tauchman a Rockies 10th round pick in 2013 spent 2015 at Double-A New Britain. He had a great year hitting .294/.355/.381 while stealing 25 bags. The 25-year-old left-handed outfielder from Bradley will likely start the season as an Isotope.

Nelson Gonzalez spent 2015 in the Rockies’ high minors appearing in 42 games. With a 5-4 record and a 3.00 ERA in 69 innings pitched, the 25-year-old has shown he might make an appearance or two in the Purple Pinstripes in 2016.

Brock Huntzinger a career minor leaguer that was acquired before camp started has bounced between the Oakland, Baltimore and Boston organizations where he was a third-round pick in 2007. Last season he threw 56.1 innings in Triple-A with an 8.6 K/9 rate. He’ll bolster and maybe close for the Albuquerque bullpen.