JULY 7, 2022 • DENVERPOST.COM
COLTON WELKER
Rockies designate injured Colton Welker for assignment Colton Welker’s difficult journey to the majors has run into another detour.
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Requires surgery Welker (shoulder) will undergo surgery in the coming weeks, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.
Impact Welker has been sidelined since late April due to a shoulder issue, and he'll be forced to undergo a procedure that will likely keep him out for the rest of the season. However, the Rockies are hopeful that he'll be able to participate in the Arizona Fall League, and it's possible he joins the major-league club in 2023 as long as he returns to full health by next season.
JUNE 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Two top Rockies prospects will undergo surgery and Colorado's pitching depth is in trouble Lefty starter Ryan Rolison and third baseman Colton Welker will undergo shoulder surgery in the coming weeks, likely ending their seasons.
JUNE 3, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Sidelined by shoulder injury Welker is on the seven-day injured list with Triple-A Albuquerque due to a shoulder injury, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Impact Welker has been sidelined since April 21, which was his second game back at Triple-A after a brief stint with Colorado. The team has described Welker's shoulder as being "loose," so he is currently going through strengthening exercises. Assuming Welker can return to health, he could be in line for another opportunity at the big-league level as the season progresses.
MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Back to Triple-A Welker was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque after Monday's game against the Phillies, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.
Impact Welker's time in the majors this time around was brief, as he was just recalled Sunday. He failed to make his 2022 debut during his brief stint with Colorado.
APRIL 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Suzuki homers to extend hot start, Cubs beat Rockies 6-4
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Summoned from minors The Rockies recalled Welker from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday.
Impact He'll offer the Rockies an extra right-handed bat off the bench after Garrett Hampson (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Hampson had started in only three of the Rockies' first eight games, so there won't be an immediate opening for Welker to pick up steady at-bats in the Colorado infield.
APRIL 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Draws start Sunday Welker (eye) will start at third base and bat ninth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Impact Though Welker won't be joining the Rockies for Opening Day after he was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, he at least appears to have moved past the eye issue that sidelined him for more than two weeks of action. He returned to the lineup for Saturday's 11-11 tie with the Athletics and went 1-for-2 with an RBI while seeing work at both corner-infield spots. Welker's inclusion in the lineup for the second day in a row suggests he came out of Saturday's contest feeling fine.
APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque Welker (eye) was sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.
Impact Welker was moved down Friday after appearing in two games this spring, going 1-for-3 from the plate with an RBI and a walk. He's currently dealing with an eye infection, but he should return to the Triple-A lineup relatively soon. The 24-year-old appeared in 19 games with the Rockies last season, slashing .189/.250/.216 with a double and two RBI over 37 at-bats.
APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Delayed by eye issue Manager Bud Black said Friday that Welker has been limited by an eye issue early in camp, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Impact Welker has made just two plate appearances in the Cactus League during spring training, and he'll likely be sidelined for at least another week due to his eye issue. Black said that the Rockies hoped to give the 24-year-old playing time at first base and third base this spring after he made his major-league debut late in 2021. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see Welker report to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the 2022 campaign following his limited availability during camp.
MARCH 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
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Pujols hit in 10th, Dodgers beat Rox, stay close in NL West
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Gets fourth start in six games Welker will start at third base and bat seventh Wednesday in Atlanta.
Impact Welker sticks in the lineup for the fourth time in six games after going 3-for-15 with three runs and an RBI to kick off his big-league career. Though he's getting a breather Wednesday, Ryan McMahon still looks like the Rockies' everyday third baseman, but his ability to swing over to first or second should open up at least a part-time role for Welker over the final few weeks of the season.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Giants get 4 in 9th to beat Rockies; 1st team with 90 wins
LaMonte Wade Jr. and Evan Longoria each had two RBIs during a four-run rally in the ninth inning and the streaking San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-4SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gets first call-up Welker will be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.
Impact Welker served an 80-game suspension to begin the 2021 campaign but reported to Albuquerque in mid-August. He appeared in 23 games with the Triple-A affiliate and slashed .286/.378/.476 with three home runs, 18 RBI and 13 runs during that time. The 23-year-old's numbers in the minors haven't jumped off the page, but he brought his walk rate up to 12.2 percent in Albuquerque and will now play his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field. He'll provide help in the corner infield behind C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon while Connor Joe (hamstring) is sidelined.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Colton Welker and Ryan Vilade on the way? Can the Rockies wait for Michael Toglia? A foward-looking mailbag Plus: Gauging the front office's desire to actually win, what a universal DH could mean in Colorado and more.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Reinstated from suspension Welker (suspension) rejoined Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday and has gone 3-for-10 with a double, three RBI and a run in his first two games of the season for the affilate.
Impact After completing the 80-game suspension he received in May for violating MLB's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, Welker was finally cleared to report to the Rockies' top affiliate. Before his suspension lapsed, Welker was able to complete a rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors. Between stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and High-A Spokane, Welker slashed .194/.268/.500 over 10 games.
AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
A's outfelder Ramón Laureano suspended 80 games
Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramón Laureano was suspended for 80 games without pay by the commissioner’s office Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substanceAUGUST 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rehabbing at High-A Welker (suspension) began a rehab assignment July 26 at the Rockies' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate and has since moved up to High-A Spokane.
Impact Welker has played six rehab games in total between the two affiliates, going 3-for-22 with a pair of walks and two doubles. The 23-year-old opened the season on the Rockies' restricted list after he was handed an 80-game suspension May 6 following a positive test of a banned substance. Since Welker was assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque coming out of spring training, he'll first be eligible to rejoin the affiliate Aug. 8. In the meantime, expect Welker to continue his rehab assignment in the lower levels of the minors for the next week.
AUGUST 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mariners' Santiago banned 80 games for positive drug test
Seattle pitcher Héctor Santiago was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball following a positive test for external testosterone, exactly one month after he was banned for 1...JULY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Colorado Rockies: How the Colton Welker suspension impacts the big-league team The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that minor league infielder Colton Welker was suspended for 80 games since he tested positive for...
MAY 7, 2021 • ROXPILE.COM
Rockies minor leaguer Welker gets 80-game drug suspension
Colorado Rockies minor league third baseman Colton Welker has been given an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substanceMAY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
