Howard optioned back to Albuquerque Saturday

The Colorado Rockies optioned left-handed pitcher Sam Howard back to Triple-A Albuquerque of the Pacific Coast League on Saturday.

Howard, who represents valuable starting pitching depth for the Rockies, heads back to the minor leagues to make room on the 25-man roster for the acquisition of Seunghwan Oh.

Oh, a right-handed reliever, was officially acquired Thursday by the Rockies from the Toronto Blue Jays in an attempt to bolster their bullpen.

Howard did not make an appearance for Colorado in this second stint of the year with the major league Rockies. The 25-year-old made his first appearance in the big leagues this season tossing a scoreless inning June 10 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 14 starts with the Isotopes this year, Howard’s results in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League have come against hitters who are on average 1.6 years older. Over 68 innings in Albuquerque, the 6’3” southpaw has a 5.43 ERA (5.02 FIP) with a 1.59 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 rate and 3.4 BB/9 rate.