The Colorado Rockies acquired right-handed pitcher Nick Garcia from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for infielder/outfielder Connor Joe.

Joe was popular with teammates and fans, having survived a battle with cancer, but with the revamping of the Rockies, Joe’s playing figured to be limited. Garcia, meanwhile, adds a promising arm to the Rockies system.

Garcia, 23, went 4-4 with a 3.66 ERA (113.0 IP, 46 ER) in 25 games (23 starts) with 109 strikeouts and 46 walks with High-A Greensboro in 2022. In two Minor League seasons in the Pirates organization, the Redwood City, Calif. native has gone 9-8 with a 3.88 ERA (187.2 IP, 81 ER) in 46 games (36 starts) with 192 strikeouts and 81 walks.

He has averaged 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings over his two professional seasons.

Garica was originally drafted by Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of Chapman University (Orange, Calif.).

Colorado currently has 38 players on the 40-man roster.