Shipping out old players for new chances is how the Rockies hope to prevent past results from repeating.

Negative outcomes returned late in Friday’s 5-3 two-hour-delayed loss to Chicago. In the duel between the American and National League’s worst teams, Colorado took the first round’s punch after it added new moves to its arsenal to load up for the three-game battle.

Aaron Schunk joined the club for the first time in a major-league uniform and Riley Pint rejoined it.

Alan Trejo’s roster spot saw its time expire after the utility infielder couldn’t produce consistent results in an inconsistent role. His swath of positions didn’t change, but playing time was hard for the 28-year-old — hit .143 in 63 at-bats across the team’s first 80 Games — to find.

His replacement didn’t have trouble finding work at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Schunk has used 1,714 at-bats with the Isotopes to prepare for his opening Colorado chance. He has been with the Rockies in their last three spring training slates but failed to make the opening-day roster after each.

His .291 average this year moving around the Albuquerque infield is something the team hopes translates. His success would give the lift they’re looking for after being outscored 42-23 in the last seven games, six losses. 

The Rockies had a leadoff single in Friday’s loss before 16 consecutive outs against newbie White Sox and top-100-ranked-prospect, starter Drew Thorpe.

“We’re giving a number of players opportunities here, both on the mound and in the field,” manager Bud Black said pregame before the offensive trouble continued. “Players with lesser service time or no service time at all, we’re going to give those guys a look to see if they can get some traction in the big leagues.”

Brenton Doyle had the chance last year and showed signs. Offseason swing changes enabled him to hit a leadoff single for Colorado’s only damage before he added a two-run, lead-changing home run in the sixth inning. Michael Toglia’s latest chance has seen him hit five home runs in 20 games as part of his nine this year. 

Dakota Hudson showed similar brightness in his first seven road starts with a 3.07 earned run average. His grip on the ball Friday was shaky, as is his future in the rotation if recent results continue.

He walked consecutive hitters on four pitches to open the game and spent the rest of it looking, blowing and wiping at his hands to find a sweet spot — five walks weren’t his season-high, it was the third time he’s done so en route to 43 walks in 81⅔ innings. Hudson’s five earned runs allowed came after the final two walks ended his outing.

Struggles with anxiety forced Pint to a similar negative results earlier in his career. He had a temporary retirement in 2021 after control became hard to find. He garnered one out and walked three in his 2023 debut but had a 2.84 ERA battling the Isotopes’ hitter-friendly landscape this year.

He’s been in the organization with an eye on making an impact since being picked fourth overall in the 2016 draft.

Pint and Schunk could be part of changing win-loss results in the future. They just have to show signs of life that boost the Rockies’.

The trade deadline and September call-ups are sure to add more names to the mix as Colorado looks for a contending one.

White Sox 5, Rockies 3

What Happened: Dakota Hudson couldn’t find control and two of his five walks on Friday proved to be the end of the Rockies’ winning chances against the American League’s most-losing team.

On the mound: Hudson walked five hitters for the third time this year and allowed five earned runs in five innings. The final three came after Justin Lawrence inherited a bases-loaded jam in the decisive sixth inning. Lawrence allowed a hit and walk to worsen Hudson’s line and put the Rockies behind for good.

At the plate: Brenton Doyle’s leadoff single was followed by 16 consecutive outs for Colorado hitters. His two-run home run in the sixth brought life back to the offense before Chicago’s hitters took it back in the bottom of the frame. Michael Toglia added a Rockies’ run on his ninth home run in the seventh inning. He has hit five in 20 games since being brought back up from Triple-A Albuquerque. They had Colorado’s only three hits.

What’s next: Colorado Rockies (RHP Cal Quantrill, 6-5; 3.50) at Chicago White Sox (RHP Jonathan Cannon, 1-2; 4.59) at 12:10 p.m. on Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field.