Veteran MLB pitcher Jose Quintana is set to return for a 15th Major League Baseball season after agreeing to a deal with the Colorado Rockies.
The move was reported on Tuesday night, with the contract still waiting on medical checks before it becomes official.
The 37-year-old left-hander joins a Rockies side desperate for improvement after several difficult seasons.
The signing matters because Colorado has struggled badly in recent years, and Quintana offers experience and stability in a team that has lacked consistency on the mound.
What deal has Jose Quintana agreed to with the Rockies?
Jose Quintana has reportedly agreed to join the Colorado Rockies, extending his MLB career into 2026.
Although the contract terms have not been confirmed publicly, the agreement is said to be in place and only pending a medical review. If completed, Quintana will become one of the most experienced pitchers on the Rockies roster.
For the Rockies, the signing looks like a low-risk move aimed at strengthening their rotation with a proven professional who can deliver innings.
Why is Jose Quintana’s return for a 15th season a big story?
A 15th MLB season is a major milestone for any player, especially for a starting pitcher.
Quintana has built a reputation over the years as a durable and reliable left-handed starter. He has also become one of the most successful Colombian-born players in MLB history, with 113 career wins, the highest ever recorded by a pitcher from Colombia.
Jose Quintana joins the Rockies for his 15th season in the bigs pic.twitter.com/WtVOBCc3UV
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 11, 2026
That record adds extra importance to his continued presence in the league.
How did Jose Quintana perform in the 2025 season?
Quintana played the 2025 season with the Milwaukee Brewers, joining them midway through spring training.
Across 24 starts, he recorded:
- 3.96 ERA
- 1.291 WHIP
- 131 2/3 innings pitched
In simple terms, his numbers showed he remained dependable and capable of holding his own, even late in his career.
He also featured in the postseason, delivering a scoreless relief outing before later struggling in a short starting appearance against a top-level opponent.
Why is pitching for the Rockies considered difficult?
The Rockies play their home matches at Coors Field in Denver, one of the most challenging stadiums for pitchers in all of Major League Baseball.
The stadium sits roughly 5,200 feet above sea level, meaning the air is thinner, and the ball tends to travel further. This often results in more home runs and higher-scoring games.
Over the last three MLB seasons, Coors Field has ranked as the league’s most hitter-friendly ballpark based on advanced stadium performance data.
That makes Quintana’s move even more interesting, because pitchers often see their stats worsen in Colorado.
What has Jose Quintana’s record been like at Coors Field?
Quintana has played at Coors Field six times in his career.
In those appearances, he holds:
- 5.40 ERA
- 33 strikeouts
- 42 innings pitched
Those numbers suggest he has found Denver a difficult place to pitch, although his strikeout total shows he can still compete when conditions are tough.
Why are the Rockies rebuilding their pitching staff now?
The Rockies are in desperate need of improvement after three straight seasons with more than 100 defeats. In 2025, they recorded 119 losses, the worst record in Major League Baseball.
This signing appears to fit a wider plan: bring in experienced pitchers who can help stabilise the squad, protect younger players, and reduce pressure on an overstretched bullpen.
Colorado also agreed to a one-year deal with Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano earlier the same day, showing the club is actively trying to reshape its pitching department.
Will Jose Quintana play in the World Baseball Classic before the MLB season?
Yes. Quintana is expected to represent Colombia in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which takes place in March.
That tournament is the baseball equivalent of an international World Cup, featuring national teams and top professionals from across MLB and other leagues.
It will give Quintana competitive match sharpness before he officially begins his season with the Rockies.
What does this signing mean for UK sports fans?
Baseball remains a niche sport in the UK compared to football, cricket, and rugby, but MLB continues to grow through streaming platforms and international coverage.
For British sports fans, this story stands out because:
- Quintana is a rare example of a player still competing at a high level at 37
- Colorado is considered one of the hardest environments for pitchers
- The Rockies are trying to recover from one of the worst seasons in modern MLB history
It is also a reminder of how major US clubs use veteran signings to rebuild after poor seasons.
