The Colorado Rockies announced that left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber has been activated from the 60-day injured list and will start Sunday’s finale against the Atlanta Braves. To make room of the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner was placed on the 60-day IL for back spasms while reliever Zach Agnos has been optioned to Triple-A.

Gomber, 31, will make his season debut when he takes the mound Sunday opposite reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale. Gomber has been out all season with a left-shoulder injury that occurred near the end of Spring Training. Initially believed to only miss one or two starts at the start of the season, Gomber made one rehab start in the first game of the Triple-A season but was shut down after still feeling pain in the shoulder.

The veteran has looked sharp in three minor league starts, posting a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings of work with 13 strikeouts against five walks. In 2024, Gomber tossed a career-high 165 innings over the course of 30 starts, working to a 4.75 ERA, serving as a stalwart piece of an otherwise disappointing Rockies rotation. His 16.7% strikeout rate was well shy of the 22% league average, but his 5.5% walk rate was quite strong as he pitched to contact and utilized the defense behind him. His main struggle has been home runs, which is understandable considering he is a fly-ball pitcher for the Rockies. His performance and veteran presence, however, was enough for the Rockies to give him a $6.35 million his final year of club control.

Gomber is the last piece remaining from the infamous Nolan Arenado trade in 2021. He was the only player with major league experience the team acquired and has been the only one to stick around as three others never reached the big leagues with the Rockies and Elehuris Montero fizzled out and is currently playing in Japan. Gomber owns a 5.08 ERA in 113 games with the Rockies, primarily as a starter over 544 innings. He has been worth 3.7 rWAR.

Feltner has been out with a back injury since April 29. He was scheduled for two rehab starts at the end of May, but with no progress with his back, he has been throwing down in Arizona at the team’s complex. This season, Feltner has a 4.75 ERA over six starts with 25 strikeouts against 12 walks.

Agnos has been solid in his rookie season, taking over the closer role for the Rockies and recording four saves. From his debut to June 2, Agnos posted a 1.50 ERA over 18 innings of work before going on the bereavment list for the death of his grandfather. Upon his return, Agnos has struggled over his last four appearances. Over 3 1/2 innings he’s allowed 10 runs on six hits issuing seven walks against four strikeouts. While it may be surprising to see the struggles, the move looks to serve as a way to give Agnos a breather to reset in Triple-A, and it shouldn’t be too long before he returns.