Pierson Ohl, the promising right-hander for the Colorado Rockies, has hit a snag in his budding career. News broke Monday that Ohl will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season. It's a tough blow for the Rockies, who acquired Ohl from the Minnesota Twins in a deal that also brought in Eduard Julien, with Jace Kaminska heading the other way.
Ohl was gearing up to be a versatile option for Colorado's pitching staff, potentially contributing both in the rotation and out of the bullpen. Last season, he logged 30 innings with the Twins, marking his MLB debut on July 29, 2025.
During that stint, he posted a 5.10 ERA and struck out 27 batters. His minor league performance was even more impressive, boasting a 2.40 ERA over 71.1 innings.
Known for his diverse pitch arsenal, Ohl features a 4-seam fastball, cutter, curveball, changeup, and an occasional knuckleball-a trick he picked up from teammate Cory Lewis in Triple-A.
Despite this setback, the Rockies are better prepared than in previous years to handle such injuries. They've invested around $19 million this offseason in veteran starters like Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana, and Tomoyuki Sugano. These seasoned arms not only add depth but also bring valuable experience to mentor the younger pitchers.
Colorado is focused on improving a rotation that struggled with a 5.99 ERA last season. The team has seen departures like German Marquez, Austin Gomber, and Bradley Blalock, opening opportunities for others.
Veterans will likely compete for rotation spots alongside promising talents such as Chase Dollander, Ryan Felter, and Kyle Freeland. Tanner Gordon is another name that could emerge in the mix.
Additionally, the Rockies have up-and-coming pitchers like Sean Sullivan and Gabriel Hughes ready to step up, along with McCade Brown, who made his MLB debut last year.
One pitcher drawing attention this spring is Antonio Senzatela. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer continues to back the longest-tenured player on the team, even giving him the nod as the Cactus League opening day starter against Arizona. In that outing, Senzatela allowed one run on three hits over two innings, with the run coming from a solo homer by former Rockies star Nolan Arenado.
While Senzatela might not slot into the rotation immediately, he could be a valuable asset as a long reliever or a mid-inning specialist. His experience and adaptability make him a reliable option if injuries strike the rotation.