Rockies infielder Connor Kaiser went unclaimed on outright waivers following this weekend’s DFA, tweets Thomas Harding of MLB.com. He’s been assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque and will remain with the organization while no longer occupying a spot on the 40-man roster.
Kaiser, 26, was added to the roster for his big league debut a few days ago when Ezequiel Tovar was placed on the paternity list. He appeared in three games during Tovar’s absence but went hitless in four trips to the plate during that span. Colorado designated Kaiser for assignment when Tovar returned from paternity and when a 40-man roster spot was needed to select the contract of veteran reliever Fernando Abad.
A third-round pick by the Pirates back in 2018, Kaiser has since bounced to the Padres and Rockies organizations in minor league free agency. He joined the Rox over the winter and turned in a solid .263/.357/.485 batting line with eight homers, 13 doubles, three triples and seven steals in 224 plate appearances at the Triple-A level while seeing time at shortstop and third base.
The Rox now have Tovar back in the fold and Ryan McMahon slotted in at the hot corner. Elehuris Montero is also an option at third or first, while Alan Trejo and Harold Castro can play around the diamond. Coco Montes gives the Rox another infield option on the 40-man roster down in Triple-A. Kaiser will remain on hand as a depth option, perhaps getting another call and another chance at logging his first big league hit if the Rockies incur an injury among that group of infield options.
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