McGEE’S DL STINT A BLOW TO BULLPEN
WASHINGTON» The Rockies’ need for bullpen backing swelled Sunday when they put southpaw reliever Jake McGee on the disabled list because of a strained muscle in his back.
Colorado recalled left-hander Zac Rosscup from Triple-A Albuquerque. McGee has pitched as the Rockies’ primary setup man for closer Greg Holland. He is their second-best, late-innings reliever with a 3.27 ERA and a team-leading ratio of 3.92 strikeouts per walk issued.
General manager Jeff Bridich has said the Rockies are on the lookout for bullpen depth, with one or two new arms needed to shore up the back of the relief corps. As Adam Ottavino continues to struggle, and with Mike Dunn just now regaining form, a once-stout bullpen has faded to 12th in the 15-team National League with a 4.53 ERA.
Baseball’s trade deadline is Monday at 2 p.m. MDT. The Rockies acquired veteran reliever Pat Neshek from the Philadelphia Phillies last week.
McGee was called on to prep for the eighth inning Saturday against the Nationals in relief of German Marquez, but he felt discomfort in his back and the Rockies sent him to the clubhouse. Manager Bud Black used Neshek instead in his Rockies debut.
“When Jake felt some discomfort in his back, he said this is not the right thing to do with the team. So we went right to Pat,” Black said. “We talk all the time about having to be ready for anything. It’s rule No. 1.”
McGee’s injury crept up in St. Louis last week.
“Jake’s been feeling it for a few days,” Black said. “We didn’t know whether he could be ready in the next couple days.”
Arenado update. All-star third baseman Nolan Arenado made another “wow” play in the first game Sunday, tracking a foul popup from Anthony Rendon in the fifth inning.
Arenado sprinted about 60 feet toward the left field bleachers, down the foul line, and looked up for a basket catch as the ball rainbowed blindly over his head.
“I went right and the sun was that way, so I put my flips (sunglasses) down,” Arenado said. “And then I couldn’t pick it up, so I flipped them back up. And I turned left and kept going. I was running and then I picked it up.”
Arenado’s terrific catch helped rookie pitcher Kyle Freeland post a 1-2-3 inning.
“When the ball was hit, I was watching (shortstop Trevor) Story. I thought he’d be the one to get to it. … And then Nolan came in from out of nowhere and snagged it. It was an incredible play by Nolan. He surprises you every day,” Freeland said.
Footnotes. Charlie Blackmon’s four hits in the first game Sunday gave him a major leaguebest 46th multihit game. He also scored four runs, and he leads the majors with 27 multirun games. … Freeland posted his 11th win. He ranks fourth in Rockies history for victories by a rookie, tied with Denny Stark (2002). Freeland has the most wins by a Rockies rookie since Jeff Francis won 14 games in 2005. … Tyler Chatwood will return to the rotation Wednesday against the Mets at Coors Field. German Marquez pitches Thursday.