Hale says RHP De La Rosa isn’t physically ready to pitch again this year

BALTIMORE – Righthander Rubby De La Rosa’s attempt to return to the mound this season has come to an apparent end.

Manager Chip Hale said De La Rosa likely will not pitch in another game this season, saying he was not physically ready to get back on a mound.

Hale said De La Rosa threw on flat ground during the club’s trip to San Diego and was “throwing as hard as he could,” calling the session a “positive.” At the same time, he said he wasn’t prepared to get back on the mound.

“He just didn’t feel like he could step on it and let it go,” Hale said.

The events surrounding De La Rosa in recent weeks have been unusual. After spending 31⁄2 months on the disabled list with elbow problems, De La Rosa returned two weeks ago and made two abbreviated starts, saying after the second one that his arm didn’t feel right. De La Rosa acknowledged it was possible his issues were more mental than physical.

A day later, Hale told reporters De La Rosa had been shut down, then reversed course the next day, saying it was possible he might still pitch again. When asked what the club hoped to accomplish by having De La Rosa return this season, Hale said, “We’ll see if he’s healthy enough to be a contributor next year.”

So does De La Rosa’s season being over now mean it was a disappointing finish?

“We want him to be healthy and feel good,” Hale said. “That’s the most important thing. Let’s get him healthy.”

Pollock update

The news also wasn’t encouraging on center fielder A.J. Pollock’s anticipated return from the groin injury that has sidelined him since Sept. 9. Hale said Pollock sounded “a little down” during a conversation on Friday.

“I said, 'What’s wrong?'” Hale said. “He said, ‘I ran today and I thought I was going to feel much better.’”

With nine games remaining entering Sunday, Pollock is running out of time to get back on the field.

“He wants to get back in there,” Hale said, “and obviously we’re not going to let him run the bases or get in a game until he can run 100 percent without pain.”

Friendly rivalry

Friends since childhood in Oklahoma, Diamondbacks right-hander Archie Bradley and Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy had been counting down the days to this series, both hoping they’d have a chance to face off this weekend.

As it happens, they’ll miss each other by a single day; Bundy pitches in the series finale on Sunday, while Bradley will start on Monday night against the Nationals.

“So close,” Bradley said.

Still, the two spent time together after Friday night’s game, reliving old stories and talking about the paths their careers have taken since both were top picks in the 2011 draft, Bundy going third overall, Bradley seventh.

Bradley said they talked about how while neither has yet to live up to expectations, they’re OK with that.

“We just talked about not comparing ourselves to guys, but at the same time, Max Scherzer’s first full year in the big leagues was at 24 years old,” Bradley said, noting he and Bundy both pitched most of this season at 23.

“When you talk about where we want to be – and maybe we’re not doing it exactly right now – but as far as down the road we’re on pace to do the things we want to do.”