The Rockies are betting big that German Marquez will have a successful comeback from elbow surgery, with the two sides agreeing to a two-year, $20 million contract extension.
Marquez, 28, underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in May and will miss a good chunk of the 2024 season. The new deal, however, takes him through the 2025 season with the Rockies.
The Rockies, who announced the extension on Friday, did not disclose the terms of the deal, but a major league source confirmed that Marquez will make $10 in 2024 and $10 million in ’25. He also has performance incentives for the 2025 season that could earn him as much as $10 million. Marquez would also receive a $1 million assignment bonus if he’s traded. ESPN first reported the basic terms of the contract.
“For me more, this is not just about German’s talent, but the person he is and what he means to this organization,” general manager Bill Schmidt said.
Schmidt said he’s hopeful that Marquez will be able to begin pitching with the Rockies after next year’s All-Star break. Schmidt acknowledged that there is some risk involved in giving a contract extension to a pitcher coming off reconstructive elbow surgery.
“There’s always risks, on both ends,” Schmidt said. “But we’re optimistic that he will have a good recovery. There might be some bumps in the road right when he comes back. But he’s young and he’s been healthy.
“You look at everything when you (sign a player), but the fact is that German wanted to be here and that was important.”
Marquez has said privately this summer that he hoped a deal could be reached to keep him in Colorado.
Manager Bud Black said: “I’m excited that German will be back in a Rockies uniform. This shows his commitment to our organization, his teammates and our great fans.”
Marquez was Colorado’s opening-day starter and went 2-2 with a 4.95 ERA over four starts before his elbow injury ended his season. The right-hander did not pitch well in 2022 when he struggled with his fastball command, posting a 9-13 record and 4.95 ERA. Marquez was an All-Star in 2021.
Schmidt, of course, is optimistic about Marquez’s future.
“We think he can come back as a front-of-the-rotation guy,” he said. “Not necessarily the No. 1 starter, but a leader for our staff and for the young guys coming up.”
Marquez was in the final year of his five-year, $43 million contract. Colorado held a $16.5 million option on his contract for 2024 and there was a $2.5 million buyout.
Since his elbow injury, Marquez has stayed with the club throughout his rehab process.
Marquez debuted in 2016 and has posted a 65-56 record and 4.41 ERA in 176 games (173 starts) with Colorado. His 65 wins rank third in franchise history behind Jorge De La Rosa (86) and Aaron Cook (72).
Colorado obtained Marquez, along with lefty reliever Jake McGee, in a January 2016 trade with Tampa Bay in exchange for outfielder Corey Dickerson and corner infield prospect Kevin Padlo.
Gomber’s season ends. Left-hander starter Austin Gomber, who emerged as Colorado’s best pitcher this season, wanted to make 30 starts. That’s not going to happen.
Gomber was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday because of lower back inflammation. To take Gomber’s place on the roster, the club selected the contract of right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Gomber, who said last week that he didn’t believe his back pain would land him on the 15-day IL, finished his season 9-9 with a 5.50 ERA over 27 starts. Gomber got off to a terrible start, going 0-4 with a 12.12 ERA in his first four outings. In his next 23 starts, however, he was 9-5 (the Rockies 13-10) with a 4.62 ERA.
In late July, the Rockies traded veteran righty reliever Pierce Johnson to the Braves for Vodnik and right-hander Tanner Gordon. Vodnik holds a 3.35 ERA over 53 2/3 innings between the Double- and Triple-A levels this season.
Saturday’s pitching matchup
Rockies RHP Chase Anderson (0-4, 6.49 ERA) at Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-12, 3.51)
7:05 p.m. Saturday, Oracle Park
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Anderson came off the injured list to pitch four innings on Sunday against the Blue Jays at Coors Field. He pitched relatively well, allowing two homers — on two solo blasts — and four hits total. He last faced the Giants on June 8 at Coors Field in Colorado’s 6-4 loss. He did not get a decision after throwing 5 1/3 innings in which he allowed three runs on six hits and a walk. He struck out a season-high seven. The veteran owns a 3-3 record with a 4.77 ERA in 11 starts against San Francisco. Webb made a quality start last Saturday vs. the Cubs but was still pinned with the loss. Over 6 2/3 innings, he allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk. He fanned four. Webb pitched a spectacular game against the Rockies at Oracle Park on July 7. He spun a complete-game shutout, allowing seven hits, striking out 10 and walking none.
Pitching probables
Sunday: Rockies RHP Peter Lambert (3-6, 5.03) at Giants TBA, 6:10 p.m., ATTRM and ESPN
Monday: Cubs LHP Jordan Wicks (3-0, 2.16) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (6-14, 5.09), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
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