Injuries & Moves: Kauffmann to make MLB debut Friday
LATEST NEWS
May 17: RHP Riley Pint optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque after debut; Karl Kauffmann recalled to make MLB debut Friday vs. Rangers
Pint went 1/3 of an inning, walked three and gave up a hit and a run in the ninth inning in his debut, the 11-6 victory over the Reds. The Rockies, who are trying to develop Pint as a reliever, planned all along to send him back to Albuquerque. Kauffman (2-3, 7.78 ERA at Albuquerque) showed a solid sinker and the ability to move the ball around the strike zone during his better Spring Training outings.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Dinelson Lamet (lower back stiffness)
Expected return: After a rehab assignment
On May 16, Lamet started and pitched two innings for Triple-A Albuquerque against Tacoma -- allowing four hits, one run, one strikeout and no walks on 32 pitches (21 strikes). While on the IL, Lamet shortened a stride that had gotten too long -- which affected his location. (Last updated: May 16)
RHP Ryan Feltner (skull fracture)
Expected return: TBD
Feltner, who sustained the skull fracture and a concussion when he was struck in the head by a 92.7 mph line drive off the bat of the Phillies' Nick Castellanos on May 13, is resting comfortably at home after being released from a local hospital on May 14. Feltner may return to the clubhouse to visit teammates next week, but for now he is currently resting at home and his parents are with him, manager Bud Black said. (Last updated: May 16)
RHP Antonio Senzatela (right elbow sprain)
Expected return: Mid-July, at the earliest
Senzatela said he still feels discomfort in his arm after sustaining the injury during his May 10 start at Pittsburgh. Senzatela said he is talking to doctors and is likely to have a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to aid healing. If such a shot occurs, Senzatela said he would rest 4-6 weeks before beginning to work his way back to pitching. (Last updated: May 16)
RHP Noah Davis (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Late May
Davis said he threw a "short box" session on May 15, meaning the catcher was standing in front of home plate. He reported feeling healthy, so the next step is a yet-to-be scheduled full bullpen session. (Last updated: May 15)
1B C.J. Cron (back spasms)
Expected return: May 25
Cron sustained the injury during a May 14 at-bat against the Phillies. It is similar to an injury that cost him time in 2021. Manager Bud Black said the IL stint should be enough time for him to recover. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Nick Mears (oblique strain)
Expected return: May 30
Mears, a strong-armed pitcher the Rockies believe will throw strikes consistently, made four appearances for the club. He has been wearing a stimulation unit on his ribs the last few days, so the Rockies made the move to give him time to heal. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Germán Márquez (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Mid-2024
The surgery was performed on May 12 by the Rockies' medical director, Dr. Thomas J. Noonan. Márquez, 28, made four starts this season and went 2-2 with a 4.95 ERA. (Last updated: May 12)
60-day IL
LHP Ryan Rolison (left labrum surgery)
Expected return: 2023
In his first official game since pitching for Licey in the Dominican Winter League in the 2021-22 season, Rolison threw three scoreless innings for Single-A Fresno against Modesto on May 16. Rolison, who was the Rockies' top pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and has yet to debut in the Majors, struck out three and gave up two hits and a walk. (Last updated: May 16)
RHP Tyler Kinley (right elbow sprain/flexor tendon tear)
Expected return: Second half
Kinley threw again on May 13, and has been throwing bullpens steadily since April 18. Manager Bud Black said Kinley has been “throwing great,” but the team must adhere to a protocol for returning from the injury. Kinley's schedule does not include facing hitters yet. (Last updated: May 13)
INF Brendan Rodgers (left shoulder)
Expected return: Season in doubt
Rodgers is doing all his rehab around the team, and he is delving into information to help teammates. When he had surgery on the opposite shoulder in 2019, he did not stay with the club and felt he missed out on learning opportunities.
Rodgers likely will miss the season, but he hopes to defy those odds and see some time at the end of the year. He underwent shoulder surgery on March 7 and was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 25. (Last updated: March 28)
OF Sean Bouchard (left distal biceps tear)
Expected return: TBD
One swing during a Cactus League game against the Angels on March 8 proved costly for Bouchard, who learned the extent of his injury on March 9. He underwent surgery on March 15 and was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 25. (Last updated: March 28)
LHP Lucas Gilbreath (left elbow)
Expected return: Out for the season
Gilbreath announced the already expected surgery with strange visual effects and Ava Max's "Sweet But Psycho" on his TikTok account on March 8, and it went viral worldwide. Rockies medical director Dr. Thomas J. Noonan performed the surgery in Denver on March 13. Gilbreath was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 21 to make room for outfielder Jurickson Profar.
As for the TikTok, well, "I stumbled onto that trend and said, 'You know what? I'm not going to like it, however I do it,'" Gilbreath said. (Last updated: March 28)