Colorado Rockies Sign 8-Year Veteran Pitcher
The Colorado Rockies and veteran right-hander are in agreement on a minor league deal, with Brebbia assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque for what is effectively his third stint in the Colorado organization since December.
Brebbia signed an original minor league deal with the Rockies in December, was invited to big league spring training, pitched well enough to generate roster consideration, and then opted out of his contract late in camp when a big league job did not materialize.
The #Rockies also have signed RHP John Brebbia to a Minor League contract and assigned him to the Triple-A @ABQTopes. Brebbia was in Spring Training with the Rox, but opted out at the end of camp. He was 1-0, 6.20 in 15 G/2 GS at Triple-A St. Paul (Twins).
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) May 28, 2026
He signed a minor league deal with the Twins next, reported to Triple-A St. Paul, and started his Minnesota tenure in encouraging fashion, allowing one run with a 17-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first 10.2 innings with the Saints.
Then everything fell apart.
He was rocked for 13 runs over his next 9.2 innings, watched his ERA climb to 6.20, and triggered his opt-out clause last week before being granted his release.
The Rockies called back.
Brebbia said in January, when the original deal was announced, that he is a fan of Denver and views the city as a draw rather than a pitching graveyard.
He also said something revealing about his philosophy on the mound that might be why his results have been so unpredictable.
Last week, the Twins released Triple-A relievers Matt Bowman and John Brebbia after they exercised opt-out clauses in their contracts.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 28, 2026
Bowman signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays.
Brebbia signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies.
"I expect failure because I try tons of things on the mound," Brebbia told MLB.com's video crew.
The 36-year-old has a career 3.69 ERA across eight big league seasons split between St. Louis, San Francisco, the White Sox, Atlanta, Detroit, and brief Orioles stints, with his best work coming during his Cardinals years from 2018 through 2020 when he was one of the more reliable setup arms in the National League.
The last two seasons have produced a 7.71 ERA across 23 innings with the Tigers and Braves combined, and his Triple-A numbers this season were not meaningfully better.
The Rockies are 20-37, the worst record in the National League, and need arms at every level.
Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
