Rox send down McMahon, call up Castro for Rockies debut

The Colorado Rockies announced Tuesday that they have selected the contract of infielder Daniel Castro from Triple-A Albuquerque and have optioned infielder Ryan McMahon to Triple-A. Additionally, left-handed pitcher Zac Rosscup has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list with a left middle finger blister.

McMahon got just two hits and three walks in his first 30 plate appearances over 16 games. But he has been much better in his last 13 games (31 plate appearances) throwing out seven hits and seven walks, including a double, for a .292 batting average and a .452 on-base percentage.

Castro is slated to start at second base Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs which indicates that a big factor in making this transaction was DJ LeMahieu’s trip to the 10-Day Disabled List.

It’s a tough break for McMahon who looked to be coming around at the dish, but he should at least benefit from getting in some regular at-bats.

The following is from the Rockies official press release:

Castro, 25, has hit in 22 consecutive games for Albuquerque, the third-longest hitting streak in Isotopes history.

He has a hit in all but one of his games for the Isotopes, and overall has batted .407 (37-for-91) with 17 runs scored, eight doubles, one triple, 11 RBI, five walks and six strikeouts

In nine Minor League seasons, he has hit .286 (648-for-2263) with 298 runs, 110 doubles, 14 triples, 22 home runs, 258 RBI, 36 stolen bases, 131 walks and 243 strikeouts

He was originally signed by Colorado as a Minor League free agent on Nov. 21, 2016, he last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2016 with Atlanta, where he played 47 games and batted .200 (26-for-130) with eight runs scored, one double, seven RBI, one stolen base, seven walks and 24 strikeouts

He appeared in his second Major League Spring Training with the Rockies this year and batted .267 (12-for-46) with six runs, one double, six RBI, one stolen base, two walks and seven strikeouts in 26 Spring games.