Austin Gomber Released by Colorado Rockies — Key Arenado Trade Pitcher Hits Free Agency

Breaking news out of Denver: the Colorado Rockies have released left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber, ending a roller-coaster tenure that began as the headline return in the 2021 Nolan Arenado blockbuster. The move comes after a brutal 2025 campaign in which Gomber went 0-7 with a 7.49 ERA over 12 starts, the second-worst ERA among qualified National League starters this season. Why the Rockies cut ties now • Performance slide: Gomber’s fastball velocity dipped to 89-91 mph—down nearly two ticks from his 2022 peak—while opponents slugged .556 against his four-seamer. His 10.8% walk rate ranked in the bottom 10 percentile among MLB starters. • Financial calculus: The southpaw was earning $6.35 million in his second year of arbitration; by releasing him before Sept. 1, Colorado avoids a 2026 arbitration salary and opens a roster spot for younger arms such as Carson Palmquist. • Future-first rebuild: General manager Bill Schmidt has signaled a shift toward prospect evaluation in the season’s final month, already promoting right-handers Victor Vodnik and Jaden Hill. How we got here Gomber arrived from St. Louis alongside prospects Elehuris Montero, Tony Locey, Jake Sommers, and Mateo Gil in the controversial Arenado deal that also forced Colorado to send $51 million to the Cardinals. While Montero has flashed power, Gomber was the trade’s major-league centerpiece, logging a respectable 4.53 ERA in 2021 but battling back spasms and command issues ever since. His last MLB win came on September 5, 2024, against the Dodgers. Possible landing spots 1. St. Louis Cardinals – familiar with his arsenal and seeking rotation depth after losing Miles Mikolas to forearm tightness. 2. Tampa Bay Rays – well-known for slider-heavy reclamations; Gomber’s 34% slider usage fits their model. 3. Korea or Japan – like recent MLB lefties Drew Rucinski and Dietrich Enns, a KBO or NPB contract could reset his value. He clears unconditional release waivers on Sunday; any club can sign him for a prorated league minimum, with Colorado paying the remainder of his 2025 salary. What’s next for the Rockies? Expect right-hander Peter Lambert to shift from long relief into the rotation. Prospect Chase Dollander, the club’s 2023 first-round pick, could make an audition start after logging a 2.98 ERA with Double-A Hartford since the All-Star break. Fan reaction Rockies social channels were flooded with mixed emotions—some applauding the front office for admitting a mistake, others lamenting the final piece of the Arenado return leaving for nothing. Season-ticket holder Maria Chavez tweeted, “Arenado trade officially a zero. Best of luck, Gomber—wish it worked out differently.” Key stats at a glance • Career record: 27-35, 5.30 ERA (115 G, 91 GS) • Best season: 2022 – 9-4, 3.44 ERA pre-All-Star break • 2025 WHIP: 1.67 (career high) • HR/9 in 2025: 2.1, second-worst in MLB Bottom line Austin Gomber’s Colorado chapter ends four years after it began with sky-high expectations. Whether he resurfaces in a pitcher-friendly ballpark or takes his sweeping slider overseas, the 31-year-old lefty remains a reclamation project with upside—just not one the Rockies will continue to bankroll.