The Colorado Rockies signed veteran infielder Orlando Arcia to a one-year major league contract Wednesday. The 30-year-old from Anaco, Venezuela, will serve as the designated hitter in his Rockies debut against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field.
The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have signed INF Orlando Arcia to a Major League contract and activated him for tonight’s game at Chicago-NL. INF Aaron Schunk has been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) May 28, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers Sign Arcia As International Free Agent in 2010
Arcia began his Major League career with the Milwaukee Brewers after signing as an international free agent in 2010.
He debuted in 2016 and spent parts of six seasons with Milwaukee, playing in 538 games. Arcia posted a .244 batting average with 42 home runs and 180 RBI during his time with the Brewers. He had a breakout season in 2017, batting .277 with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases.
Arcia Traded to the Atlanta Braves for Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel
Milwaukee traded Arcia to the Atlanta Braves on April 6, 2021, in exchange for pitchers Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel, after Luis Urías emerged as the Brewers’ starting shortstop.
With the Atlanta Braves, Arcia played in 413 games across four seasons from 2021 to 2025. He won a World Series ring in 2021 and was named a National League All-Star in 2023 after taking over the starting shortstop role. In his All-Star campaign, Arcia hit .264 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI in 139 games. He began the 2025 season as Atlanta’s primary shortstop but was limited to just 14 games. Arcia hit .194 with one RBI and no extra-base hits before being designated for assignment and released on May 25.
With Prospects Waiting, Rockies Choose Veteran Arcia
The Rockies, off to a historically bad start through the first third of the season, add Arcia to reinforce their infield depth. His arrival may impact playing time for several prospects at the Triple-A level, including Hunter Goodman and Warming Bernabel, who have yet to make their major league debuts in 2025.
Perhaps in a move to protect service time, the Rockies signed a veteran infielder rather than promoting from within. One internal candidate is 24-year-old shortstop Ryan Ritter, a right-handed hitter and thrower currently with Triple-A Albuquerque. Ritter was a 2022 fourth-round pick out of Kentucky and won California League MVP honors during his first full pro season. After an injury-shortened 2024 campaign in Double-A, he has surged in 2025, slashing .293/.405/.613 with 14 home runs in his first 46 games at Triple-A.
Ryan Ritter has crushed homers in FOUR of his last eight at-bats????
The @Rockies’ No. 10 prospect has been on a tear as he’s tied for the PCL lead in XBH.
At this rate, a call to the majors feels inevitable…
(????@ABQTopes)
pic.twitter.com/0CjHgjayQu— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 28, 2025
Did Orlando Arcia Represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic?
Though Arcia has not played in the World Baseball Classic, he has represented Venezuela in winter ball. He played for Caribes de Anzoategui and later with Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. He also competed in multiple Caribbean Series tournaments, gaining international club experience.
Orlando Arcia y Gabriel Noriega continuan con la fiesta caraquista ????????
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Video: IVC#CAR ???? 8-2 #ANZ ???? | 7mo inning ????#LVBP #Leones #Caribes #Beisbol #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/UDyvIMJGUo
— BeisbolPlay (@beisbolplaycom) December 8, 2023
Orlando Arcia Colorado Rockies Debut
Arcia will start at designated hitter in his Rockies debut on Wednesday, May 28. First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 p.m. Eastern at Coors Field. The game will air on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain and stream on MLB.tv.
Arcia makes his Rockies debut! pic.twitter.com/99LoqzRS1b
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) May 28, 2025
The Rockies host Philadelphia through Friday before beginning a weekend series against the Mets in New York.
(AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
