Veteran lefty Quintana joins Rockies' rotation

One-year deal brings experienced arm to Colorado's pitching staff

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with veteran left-hander Jose Quintana, adding an experienced arm to their starting rotation. Quintana, 37, has a 3.53 ERA over the past 100 starts dating back to 2022, ranking among the top 40 pitchers with at least 300 innings in that span. The Rockies are looking to field a more seasoned rotation after finishing with the highest starter ERA (6.65) in MLB last season.

Why it matters

The Rockies are hoping Quintana's veteran presence and proven track record can help stabilize a rotation that struggled mightily in 2025. With several other experienced starters also joining the staff, Colorado is aiming to improve on its 43-119 record from last season, which was tied for the third-worst in the modern era.

The details

Quintana will join a Rockies rotation that also includes Michael Lorenzen, Tomoyuki Sugano, Kyle Freeland, Ryan Feltner, and potentially Antonio Senzatela. The team also has two rookie pitchers, Chase Dollander and Tanner Gordon, competing for rotation spots. Quintana has posted a sub-4.00 ERA in three of the last four seasons, including a 3.57 ERA over 75 2/3 innings in 2023.

  • Quintana's one-year, $6 million deal with the Rockies is expected to become official before Thursday's first workout for pitchers and catchers at Spring Training.
  • The Rockies finished the 2025 season with a 43-119 record, tied for the third-worst in the modern era.

The players

Jose Quintana

A 37-year-old veteran left-handed pitcher who has agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Colorado Rockies.

Kyle Freeland

A longtime member of the Rockies' starting rotation.

Ryan Feltner

A 29-year-old right-handed pitcher looking to rebound from back and shoulder issues in 2025.

Antonio Senzatela

A 31-year-old right-handed pitcher who finished the 2025 season in the bullpen but could move back to the rotation.

Chase Dollander

A right-handed rookie pitcher who was the Rockies' 9th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

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What they’re saying

“The old adage rings true that you never have enough good pitching, so I think we'll continue to look at it.”

— Paul DePodesta, President of Baseball Operations, Rockies (mlb.com)

What’s next

The Rockies will continue to evaluate their pitching staff during Spring Training, with Quintana expected to be a key part of their rotation when the 2026 season begins on March 27.

The takeaway

By adding veteran starters like Quintana, the Rockies are hoping to field a more experienced and effective rotation in 2026 after struggling mightily on the mound in 2025. The team's focus on improving its pitching staff could be crucial to bouncing back from one of the worst seasons in franchise history.