The Rockies reassigned Koch to minor-league camp Monday.
Koch made 38 appearances out of the Colorado bullpen in 2023 and made a strong case in spring training for a roster spot with a 3.52 ERA and 9:2 K:BB in 7.2 innings in Cactus League play, but the Rockies ultimately didn't have room for him. The 33-year-old will likely head to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the season and will look to continue impressing in the Pacific Coast League with the hope of getting a call-up.
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Rockies' Matt Koch: Re-signs with Colorado
Rotowire
Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Koch appeared in 39 games for the Rockies in 2023, posting a 5.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 38.2 innings. He'll compete for a job in Colorado's Opening Day bullpen.
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Rockies' Matt Koch: Outrighted to Triple-A
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Koch went unclaimed off waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Koch split time between Colorado and Albuquerque in 2023, turning in better numbers at the major-league level with a 5.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 38.2 innings. Koch will have the right to elect free agency during the offseason, and he figures to at least draw a minor-league deal for 2024 if he choses to leave the Rockies.
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Rockies' Matt Koch: Opening bullpen game
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Koch will be the first pitcher on the mound in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Rockies against the Twins on Saturday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.
Koch hasn't pitched more than two innings in any of his 37 relief appearances this season, so don't expect him to last much longer than that this time around. The Rockies haven't announced who (if anyone) will be tasked with handling the bulk relief role behind him.
Koch (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit and zero walks while striking out one over 1.2 scoreless innings.
Koch entered a tied ballgame one out into the eighth inning and was able to keep the Brewers' bats quiet through the end of the ninth. The Rockies' offense was then able to take advantage of the Milwaukee bullpen's command issues and score four runs in the 10th inning. Since he was selected from Triple-A Albuquerque in late June, Koch has proven himself to be one of the Rockies' more reliable bullpen assets with a minuscule 1.42 ERA and 0.68 WHIP through 19 innings.
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Rockies' Matt Koch: Selected to MLB bullpen
Rotowire
Colorado selected Koch's contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday.
Koch was struggling to the tune of a 7.27 ERA through 34.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level, but the Rockies are desperate for fresh bullpen arms. The 32-year-old has made only four major-league appearances since the end of the 2019 season.
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Rockies' Matt Koch: Signs NRI deal with Rockies
Rotowire
Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Nov. 22 and received an invitation to major-league spring training.
Koch spent the 2022 season with the Mariners, and struggled to an 8.31 ERA over 4.1 innings of work in four appearances. The right-hander has an outside chance of making the Rockies out of spring training with a strong showing in the Cactus League.
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Mariners' Matt Koch: Outrighted to minors
Rotowire
The Mariners outrighted Koch to Triple-A Tacoma after he cleared waivers Thursday.
Koch's stay on the Mariners' 40-man roster and in the big-league bullpen lasted just over two weeks before he was designated for assignment last Friday. He appeared in four games for Seattle, giving up four earned runs on five hits and a walk over 4.1 innings.
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Mariners' Matt Koch: Designated for assignment
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Koch was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Friday.
Koch had been with the team for just over two weeks, allowing four runs in 4.1 innings of relief. He'll be removed from the 40-man roster to clear space for Mitch Haniger, who returned from the COVID-19 injured list in a corresponding move.
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Mariners' Matt Koch: Contract selected by Seattle
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Koch's contract was selected by the Mariners on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Koch began the regular season at Triple-A Tacoma and struck out five in two innings during a pair of relief appearances. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2019 and should serve mainly in a low-leverage role out of the Mariners' bullpen.
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Mariners' Matt Koch: Joins Seattle on MiLB deal
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Koch signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on March 10.
He's been assigned to Triple-A Tacoma, where he's expected to serve in a relief role. The 31-year-old has made appearances at the big-league level in four different seasons, though he hasn't reached the majors since 2019.
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Indians' Matt Koch: Joins Triple-A Columbus
Rotowire
Koch was assigned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.
Koch last pitched in 2019 with the Diamondbacks, where he had a 9.15 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 20.2 innings. He also saw time with Triple-A Reno, but posted an underwhelming 7.38 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 100 innings, mainly as a starter, in the minors. Koch is unlikely to play much of a role in the majors in 2021.
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Diamondbacks' Matt Koch: Clears waivers
Rotowire
Koch cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Reno on Friday.
No team wanted to claim Koch after he posted a 9.15 ERA in 20.2 innings of relief to start the season. With a career 4.88 ERA and a 13.1 percent strikeout rate, there's little reason to believe he'll be a significant big-league asset any time soon.
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Diamondbacks' Matt Koch: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Koch was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Koch was quite poor in 20.2 innings of relief, posting a 9.15 ERA while walking just 9.4 percent of opposing batters. With a career 4.88 ERA in 125.1 innings and a considerably worse 5.99 FIP, it doesn't appear particularly likely that he'll be claimed off waivers. Jon Duplantier was called up to take his spot in the bullpen.
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Diamondbacks' Matt Koch: Needed again for length
Rotowire
Koch allowed two runs on two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen while striking out one over 4.1 innings of relief in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs.
Starter Merrill Kelly had issues with his command throughout his 3.2 innings, walking seven and departing after 109 pitches. That's the ideal situation for Koch, who lost out on a bid to be a starter during spring training. This was the second time he's thrown four-plus innings in relief. It's been a rocky transition to the bullpen for Koch, who has given up 17 runs and six home runs over 13.1 innings.
Diamondbacks' Matt Koch: Fails to win rotation spot
Rotowire
Koch will not be part of the Diamondbacks' rotation to begin the season, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
Koch posted good numbers this spring, finishing with a 3.18 in 17 innings while recording a 13:3 K:BB. Merrill Kelly will be the fifth starter for now, but Koch could be the first one called on when the team needs a spot starter.
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Diamondbacks' Matt Koch: Likely part of bullpen
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Koch gave up two runs on five hits while striking out six over five-plus innings Friday against the Dodgers.
Koch, who made 14 starts and five relief appearances in 2018, is widely expected to be part of the Diamondbacks' bullpen, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The right-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA over 17 Cactus League innings. "I've been extremely impressed by what he's done," manager Torey Lovullo said. "You walk into camp and know you're competing, you're told you have to earn the spot, and when you do things like this it really stands out." Koch is out of options, so the Diamondbacks risk losing him if they want to send him down.
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Diamondbacks' Matt Koch: Receives starting nod Sunday
Rotowire
Koch (arm) will start Sunday's split-squad game against the Rockies in Mexico.
Koch was scratched from his first spring start Feb. 22 due to right arm fatigue but has since made two Cactus League appearances for the Diamondbacks. The 28-year-old should be ready to go for Opening Day as he attempts to earn a spot in Arizona's starting rotation.
