Ex-Marlins pitcher Valente Bellozo re-emerges with Rockies

A former Miami Marlin emerges with a new team.

The Colorado Rockies have called up right-handed pitcher Valente Bellozo from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday, just in time for their weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bellozo spent the previous two seasons with the Marlins, both as a starting pitcher and in the bullpen. The Marlins acquired him in a trade with the Houston Astros for Jacob Amaya on April 6, 2024. His best season came as a rookie in 2024, where he posted a 3.67 ERA in 13 starts as the Marlins were trading away veterans for prospects.

Bellozo started last season in the rotation but spent most of his appearances out of the bullpen, pitching in 32 games (6 starts) with a 4.65 ERA in 81.1 innings pitched. His WHIP remained consistent through both seasons (1.31-1.33) and he allowed 15 home runs each year regardless of his role.

The 26-year-old signed a minor league contract with the Rockies over the offseason. He made five appearances in spring training but only one start and he allowed 11 earned runs in 15.2 innings pitched (6.32 ERA) before being optioned to the minor leagues.

Bellozo made one start in Triple-A for the Isotopes before getting called up. He gave up three runs with four strikeouts in three innings in a 13-6 loss against the Oklahoma City Comets (Dodgers) on March 28.

Bellozo’s call-up coincides with Colorado placing veteran pitcher Jose Quintana on the 15-day injured list on Thursday (retroactive to March 30) with a right hamstring strain. Quintana, a 37-year-old veteran, began his 15th big league season against the Marlins on Sunday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. The teal-clad Fightin’ Fish won the game 4-3 on a walk-off home run by Owen Caissie. 

As an example of the Rockies’ push to improve on the highest starting rotation ERA in history last year (6.65) with veteran free agents, Michael Lorenzen is slated to start in the Rockies’ (2-4) home opener on Friday, and Tomoyuki Sugano is set to appear on Sunday. Quintana’s start on Saturday is left open, however, it remains to be seen whether or not it will be filled by Bellozo.

Marlins trade with Twins

The Marlins traded right-handed pitcher Garrett Acton to the Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Logan Whitaker on Thursday, just before their first road series of the season

Whitaker showed his promise in Double-A Wichita last year when he allowed only three earned runs in 11 appearances with 16 strikeouts in 16.1 innings pitched. He will report to the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate in Pensacola.

Acton made six spring training appearances for the Marlins, but missed out on the Opening Day roster despite not giving up a hit and striking out six in 5.1 innings of work. He continued to shut down batters in Triple-A early this season, having allowed only one hit while striking out four in 2.1 innings pitched for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

The Marlins claimed Acton off waivers from the Rockies over the offseason, shortly after Colorado claimed him from the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made only one appearance in 2025. Acton made his MLB debut with the Athletics and made six appearances in 2023.

Acton was traded after being designated for assignment in a roster move corresponding with the Marlins trading for Toronto infielder Leo Jimenez on March 29. Jimenez, who made his Marlins debut on Wednesday, appeared in 18 games for the Blues Jays last season and 63 games in his rookie season in 2024.