Hector

Gomez

Gomez suffered the injury during a Cactus League game last Thursday against the Cubs. He was a longshot to make the Rockies’ 25-man roster anyway, but the groin strain now ensures that he’ll open 2012 in the minors.

Gomez was diagnosed with a strained right groin in early March and wasn’t able to get back on track by the end of spring training. He was a longshot to make the Rockies’ 25-man roster anyway and will likely be sent to the Triple-A level once he’s healthy.

Gomez suffered the injury while running out of the batter’s box on a ninth-inning double. The Rockies can’t be sure yet how much time the infielder will miss.

The move clears a spot for Wil Nieves on the 40-man roster. Gomez hasn’t played all season due to a groin injury.

Gomez, 24, was once considered a top prospect, but injuries have limited him to just 216 games since the start of the 2008 season. The Brewers will hope for better luck.

Gomez is often injured and owns a weak .306 career on-base percentage in the minor leagues, but he’s just 24 years old and could draw interest from other teams.

Gomez was once very highly thought of, but he’s battled injuries the last few years and batted an ugly .105/.179/.211 in 23 games as a 24-year-old at the High-A level this season. Needless to say, he’s not close to being major league-ready.

The move clears him from the 40-man roster. The 24-year-old was once considered a promising prospect, but the Rockies gave up on him in June and he was limited to just 23 games at the High-A level this season due to injury.

He’ll also get an invite to spring training. Gomez, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies in June, was outrighted off the Brewers’ 40-man roster earlier this month.

Once considered a top prospect in the organization, the 23-year-old batted .235/.272/.416 with 14 homers, 50 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a .689 OPS over 453 plate appearances at the Double-A level this season. He will function as insurance at shortstop the rest of the way.