Colorado Rockies Add Some Heat To The Bullpen

Sometimes (well, almost all the time), the thin air of Coors Field makes it tough on pitchers. But the Colorado Rockies are hoping their latest waiver claim will make that a moot point by throwing enough heat for it not to matter. 

RHP Nick Mears has been claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies, bringing their 40-man roster up to 39.

Mears, 26, was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and has a 4.75 ERA over three seasons (30.1 IP) in the Majors with the Pirates. pic.twitter.com/EbPt64JwEi

— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) January 6, 2023

Right-hander Nick Mears was claimed from the Texas Rangers, who were forced to DFA Mears this past week to make room for Nate Eovaldi on their roster. He was only with the Rangers for a couple of weeks after they had claimed him on waivers. 

Mears is a 26-year-old righty with parts of three big league seasons under his belt with the Pittsburgh Pirates, combining to throw 30.1 innings with a 4.75 ERA, while striking out 9.5 batters per nine innings. 

In four seasons in the minors, Mears has struck out a walloping 12.9 batters per nine, with a 3.99 ERA. 

He normally sits around 94-98 mph, but has been known to hit 101. His curveball drops down to about 80 mph, flummoxing batters with the change.

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports