Thairo Estrada activated from 60-day IL to make Rockies debut

NEW YORK (AP) — Second baseman Thairo Estrada was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Friday and immediately inserted into the cleanup spot for his Colorado Rockies debut against the New York Mets.

Estrada had been sidelined all season with a broken right wrist. He batted .304 (7 for 23) in five rehab games with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Interim manager Warren Schaeffer thinks Estrada can provide a boost for a reeling team that is 9-48 — the worst record through 57 games of any major league club in the modern era (since 1901).

“I think it’s going to be a big addition," Schaeffer said. “I mean, everyday second baseman. Got a lot of big league experience. The way he plays the game — hard. He takes everything seriously. He loves baseball.”

Estrada went 0 for 3 and scored once in a 4-2 loss to the Mets. He was grazed on the foot by a pitch and denied a third-inning hit that would have knocked in at least two runs when shortstop Francisco Lindor made a leaping catch.

The 29-year-old Estrada began the night a .251 career hitter with 48 home runs, 52 stolen bases and a .694 OPS in six major league seasons. He broke into the big leagues with the New York Yankees in 2019 and spent the past four years with San Francisco.

A right-handed hitter, Estrada batted fourth against Mets left-hander David Peterson in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field.

“It fits there today against a left-hander," Schaeffer said before the game. "Thairo’s a professional hitter. For me, you can hit him anywhere in the lineup.”

In another roster move, the Rockies selected the contract of outfielder Sam Hilliard from Albuquerque. He connected for his sixth career pinch-hit homer in his first major league plate appearance this season to make it 3-2 in the seventh.

“It felt great. Hopefully I can use that and build off of that,” Hilliard said.

Colorado outfielder Nick Martini was designated for assignment. The club optioned infielder Adael Amador to Triple-A on Thursday.

“Just shaking things up a little bit,” Schaeffer said. “Sam brings speed. Sam brings a solid glove in the outfield. My style of baseball is putting the ball in play and running, and being aggressive.”

Estrada signed a $4 million, one-year contract with Colorado in January. He has a $3.25 million salary this year and the deal includes a $7 million mutual option for 2026 with a $750,000 buyout.

His wrist was broken during a spring training game in March when he was hit by a 97 mph sinker from Texas Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker.

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Colorado Rockies' Sam Hilliard gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, May 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Third base coach Andy González, left, celebrates with Sam Hilliard (16) as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Friday, May 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Colorado Rockies' Thairo Estrada, right, throws out New York Mets' Pete Alonso at first base after forcing out Juan Soto, left, for a double play during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 30, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Colorado Rockies' Nick Martini (35) practices his swing in the dugout during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

Colorado Rockies' Thairo Estrada swings his arm prior to a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday he is suspending his campaign for governor and instead joining the race for secretary of state of the battleground state.

Gilchrist, a progressive Democrat from Detroit, did not cite a specific reason for the change in his video announcement, but said he is not finished being a “public servant.” His departure clears up the Democratic primary and benefits the frontrunner, Jocelyn Benson, who is the current Secretary of State, in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The secretary of state is Michigan's top election official, a highly politicized and visible role since the 2020 presidential election.

“Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again,” Gilchrist said.

As Whitmer’s second in command and her running mate in two elections, Gilchrist struggled to match Benson’s name recognition and fundraising. He reported having around $378,000 of cash on hand as of October compared to Benson’s $2.98 million.

Benson is now set to face only Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary in August.

The inclusion of a well-known independent candidate has created a new problem for Democrats this year. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is avoiding costly primaries altogether by running as an independent. The Michigan Democratic Party slammed the former Democrat last week for not standing up to President Donald Trump’s second term policies.

In the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt and former Michigan House speaker Tom Leonard are jockeying for the nomination.

In his bid to become secretary of state, Gilchrist will face four other Democrats: Barb Byrum, Ingham County clerk; Aghogho Edevbie, deputy secretary of state; Suzanna Shkreli, a former Whitmer aide and commissioner of the Michigan State Lottery; and Adam Hollier, a former state senator from Detroit.

Michigan does not hold primary elections for the secretary of state position; the nominee is chosen by precinct delegates during party conventions. The Michigan Democratic Party convention is scheduled for April 19.

State Republicans plan to hold their nominating convention March 28 and GOP figures chasing the party's nomination for secretary of state include Anthony Forlini, Macomb County Clerk, and Monica Yatooma, an Oakland County executive.

In addition to the office of the governor and secretary of state, Michigan voters will be selecting a new state attorney general and a U.S. senator in November.

FILE - Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II waits before the State of the State address, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, file)