Dakota Hudson’s command issues and age made the Rockies a bad fit for the season’s second half.

The starter was designated for assignment on Sunday to make room for Tanner Gordon’s major-league debut. Colorado’s 40-man roster still has a spot available, but it’s reserved for the impending return of Germán Márquez from Tommy John surgery and the 60-day injured list.

Hudson leads the league with 12 losses and has a grip on the National League lead with 46 walks. His 5.84 earned run average may have been tolerable if not for the Rockies’ youth movement.

“Now’s the opportunity as we get into the second half to see some of our younger players,” manager Bud Black said. “Some guys that we feel can be contributors moving forward.”

The Rockies signed Hudson to a one-year, $1.5 million deal alongside catcher Jacob Stallings before the year.

His tenure with the club was an uneven one. The veteran went 5⅓ innings without allowing an earned run in his opening start. It was the only start he went without allowing one. He allowed at least five earned runs in four respective starts and walked at least four in five other starts.

Gordon will get the opportunity to fill his spot until Márquez returns, at least. He carried a 6.15 ERA in seven Triple-A Albuquerque starts but has shown signs of success for Rockies’ scouts since he was acquired. He and Victor Vodnik came to the franchise when Colorado traded Pierce Johnson to Atlanta at the trade deadline in 2023.

Márquez is rehabbing in Double-A Hartford with hopes of joining the club on the East Coast next week. He’ll start Tuesday and could join the club later in the week to make his return. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2023.