The Rockies provided updates to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding (Twitter links) and other reporters about several injured players, including right-hander German Marquez. After Marquez was placed on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday due to forearm inflammation, the initial diagnosis was Marquez had avoided any serious injury and might be back in relatively short order. A good step was taken in that direction today as Marquez started throwing for the first time since his IL placement, engaging in a game of catch prior to the Rockies’ game with the Mariners.
It remains to be seen how long Marquez might be sidelined, as even with a minor forearm issue, the Rox aren’t going to rush the hurler back into action. Marquez’s first three starts in the year resulted in a 4.41 ERA over 16 1/3 innings, and while it’s a small sample size, early points of interest include some improved control (a very good 3.2% walk rate) and a marked increase in Marquez’s usage of his slider. The righty is still allowing a lot of hard contact and is striking out batters at a subpar rate, but that was also often the case for Marquez in his better seasons.
Randal Grichuk and Daniel Bard both started rehab assignments at Triple-A today, after first working in games during extended Spring Training. Neither player has yet made their season debut — Grichuk underwent surgery in early February to correct a bilateral sports hernia, while Bard was placed on the 15-day IL just prior to Opening Day due to anxiety issues. Grichuk naturally has a more set recovery timeline, as he was initially expected to be back by mid-April, and it looks like he’ll return to Colorado’s lineup only slightly after that projected date. Bard’s timeline is more fluid due to the uncertainty of anxiety issues, but the start of a rehab assignment indicates that he might be closing in on a return to the Rockies’ bullpen.
Antonio Senzatela’s return is still a ways away, as the righty is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last August. However, Senzatela did pitch two innings in an extended Spring Training game on Friday, and he’ll pitch in another extended camp game on Tuesday. Depending on how Senzatela comes out of Tuesday’s outing, the Rockies might then set a course for his rehab plan. The initial expectation was that Senzatela might be back in the majors by May, and Colorado starting the season with Senzatela on the 15-day IL (instead of the 60-day IL) is indicative of their hope that the right-hander don’t miss too much more time.
Wow. Nobody cares
About your comment? True.
Apparently you cared enough to reply. With a sarcastic, snide remark, no less. I hope your ego is sufficiently stroked.
Bard probably was anxious about the atmosphere of opening day and a new season with unrealistic expectations. Once the Rockies have settled into the basement and a .350 win percentage by mid-May then Bard can relax and do his thing.
If you saw his performance in the WBC, his IL placement made perfect sense. It was about a click above the yips.
Who is the best pitcher in Rockies’history?
Jorge De La Rosa was 86-51 over nine years for Rockies with an ERA just over four.
61 not 51, still pretty good for 200 starts.
As a lifelong Rockies fan Jorge was definitely the best and most consistent Starter for Colorado. Thin air and biggest outfield in baseball is a nightmare if you like ERA.
Those green unis are just ugly. They look like asparagus plants.
Those green unis are just ugly. They look like asparagus plants..