Rockies Call up Murphy, Put Him Behind Plate Tuesday Night

Tom Murphy finally may get his opportunity behind the plate with the Rockies.

Murphy was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, joining the Rockies in Philadelphia. Outfielder Michael Tauchman was optioned back to Albuquerque to make room for Murphy.

And Murphy was immediately put in the starting lineup to catch Jon Gray in Tuesday's series opening game against the Phillies.

Murphy showed up for spring training a year ago, projected to assume the starting catcher's job with the Rockies. That idea disappeared early in the exhibition season. Murphy suffered a fractured right forearm when on a throw to second base his forearm collided with the bat of the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo.

Murphy was sidelined for three months, wound up primarily spending time at Triple-A Albuquerque getting his game back in order. He was limited to just 12 games in two stints on the big-league roster, and because of the time on the disabled list appeared in only 38 games with the Isotopes, hitting .255 with four home runs and 19 RBI.

Murphy had a solid spring this year, but with the Rockies having signed veteran Chris Iannetta as a free agent in the off-season, and Tony Wolters in the backup role, the decision was made to send Murphy back to Albuquerque so he could have regular playing time after his limited availability a year ago.

Tuesday, that changed.

Having worked on his defense, Murphy continues to show a high upside on offense. He hit .289 in 49 games at Albuquerque this season, and was second in the Pacific Coast League with 16 home runs. He also had 14 doubles, two triples, 45 RBI and 34 runs scored.