Rockies trade Ubaldo Jimenez to Indians for four prospects including Drew Pomeranz

The Colorado Rockies have traded starter Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four prospects: pitchers Drew Pomeranz, Alex White and Joe Gardner and first baseman Matt McBride.

All three pitchers rank in the top six of the Indians prospects by MLB.com with Pomeranz, the fifth overall pick in 2010, ranked second behind third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall.

Technically, Pomeranz can't be traded until August 15th.

Jimenez, who was rocked last night (four walks and four earned runs in one inning), has a reasonable salary over the next couple of seasons: $2.8 million (2011), $4.2 million (2012) and $5.7 million (2013). There is a club option for $14 million in 2014, but Jimenez can void that due to the trade.

But ESPN's Keith Law thinks that the Indians made a bad move for two reasons. First, the Indians have struggled (23-36) since their surprising start (30-15), which came against relatively easier competition. Second, it's unclear which Ubaldo Jimenez the Indians will get.

Last year, Jimenez was 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA heading into the All-Star Break. Since then, Jimenez has a 10-16 record with an ERA of 4.19.

"He's been a little beat up this year," closer Chris Perez said of Jimenez (via Paul Hoynsie of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer), "but Colorado isn't the easiest place to pitch. His road numbers are much better and he's on a club-friendly contract.

"I think we gave up a lot of talent, but you have to give talent to get talent. Pomeranz has a lot of talent, but at the same time he's never pitched up here. In five years we might be kicking ourselves."

As of last night's game, the Indians are 53-51 and 1.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers (56-51).

Ubaldo Jimenez to go on DL

Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez got off to an incredible start in 2010. The same cannot be said about his start to the 2011 season.

The Rockies will place Jimenez on the 15-day disabled list (DL) due to a thumb injury, retroactive to April 2nd, which means he'll be eligible to come off the DL on April 17th.

"It's never good to go on the DL," Jimenez said, per Troy Renck of the Denver Post. "But I need to be able to help the team. It's getting better, but I still feel pain when I grip the ball."

Right-handed pitcher Greg Reynolds, who has been recalled from Triple-A, will take his roster spot.

In his one start this season, Jimenez allowed five earned runs and only struck out one batter in six innings.

Ubaldo Jimenez wins 11th

Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez won his 11th game of the season as the Rockies beat the Diamondbacks 3-2 on Sunday.

In the process, Jimenez extended his scoreless innings streak to 33, which is a franchise record. The streak ended on a home run by Connor Jackson in the eighth inning.

The previous franchise record was held by Gabe White, who pitched 29 1/3 scoreless innings in 2000.

“I’m just really happy,” Jimenez said (via the Associated Press). “As a starter, you only pitch every five days so it’s so hard, especially when you’re having a season like this. You can’t wait for your next start to come.”

By allowing a two-run homer to Jackson today, Jimenez's ERA jumped to 0.93.