Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jeff Criswell. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Rockies bullpen endures another shakeup with key bullpen injury

By Kevin Henry | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 6:22 PM ET

One day after placing Justin Lawrence on waivers, the Colorado Rockies bullpen underwent another transformation on Sunday.

Less than 24 hours after Lawrence was sent to waivers following a tough start to spring training (three runs surrendered on three hits and three walks plus two hit batters in 3.0 innings), the Rockies announced that right-hander Jeff Criswell would undergo Tommy John surgery and be lost for the season.

Criswell was traded by the Athletics to Colorado on Dec. 6, 2022. The 25-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut on Aug. 21 and impressed in his 13 late-season outings with the Rockies, posting a 2.75 ERA and striking out 27 in 19.2 innings.

Jeff Criswell's 6K in 2.2 Innings. pic.twitter.com/JbbiHzaleW
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 15, 2024

The loss of Criswell means the Rockies will move into the heart of spring training without another right-hander who originally figured into the competition for an Opening Day roster spot. Colorado visits the Tampa Bay Rays to open the season on March 28.

While Criswell was likely on the bubble for an Opening Day roster spot, his loss means perhaps more opportunities to impress this spring for Angel Chivilli, Jake Bird and Jaden Hill, all pitchers who were in competition with Criswell for a place in the bullpen and saw time with Colorado in 2024.

Along with who gets the final spots in the Rockies bullpen, another competition to watch involving Colorado relievers is who will eventually be crowned as the team's closer. Lawrence had experience in the role, but was one of eight Rockies to record at least one save in 2024.

Look for a close battle between Seth Halvorsen (two saves last season as a rookie), Tyler Kinley (a club-leading 12 saves last year) and Victor Vodnik (nine saves in his second MLB season) to determine who will start the year in the closer's role.

Kevin Henry

A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), Kevin Henry has been covering MLB and MiLB for nearly two decades. Those assignments have included All-Star Games and the MLB postseason, including the World Series. Based in the Denver area, Kevin calls Coors Field his home base, but travels throughout North America during the season to discover the best stories possible

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