Struggling Gray goes on injured list
It turns out something was wrong with Jon Gray after all.
The Rockies on Friday placed the struggling right- handed starter on the 10- day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday. The club also recalled righthander José Mujica from their alternate training site.
“After his last start, his shoulder was a little tender, a little inflamed,” manager Bud Black said before Friday night’s game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. “That happens from start to start over a period of time with all pitchers and sometimes you’re able to fight through it.” But not this time.
Gray was charged with seven runs on nine hits in 2 2/ 3 innings in a 23- 5 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday night. His ERA has ballooned to 6.69, he has a 1.44
WHIP and batters are hitting .281 against him.
“I’ve got to find a way to get my ( velocity) back up. I’ve got to find a way to snap my slider off,” Gray said after Tuesday’s game.
Black emphasized that although the shoulder has been bothering Gray for a couple of starts, the injury is not considered serious and Black characterized the move to the IL as proactive.
“This time, there was just a little bit more general soreness and we thought it might get in the way of his next start … put some sort of constraint on his next start, so we decided to do it now,” Black said.
Gray’s average fastball velocity has dipped, from 96 mph last season to 93.9 mph this season. On Wednesday, however, Black rejected the idea that Gray had a sore arm or was fatigued. On Friday, Black explained that Gray’s soreness flared up more than usual.
“Every pitcher is a little sore after every start,” Black said. “With Jon, the next couple of days it didn’t really resolve itself like it usually does.”
Gray’s injury necessitates a rotation shuffle. Black said that rookie Ryan Castellani will now start Sunday’s game against the Dodgers. Monday in San Diego, Colorado could start lefty Kyle Freeland or possibly right- hander Chi Chi Gonzalez.
Dahl’s closer. Outfielder David Dahl, on the IL with a side/ lower back injury, took multiple at- bats with the Rockies’ alternative site squad on Friday in Denver and could join the 28- man roster soon.
“David had a good day today,” Black said. “Word got back to me that he felt great. He swung the bat well, the ball was coming off the bat, he was driving the ball.”
Black said he expects Dahl to join the team on its West Coast road trip and then the club will decide when to activate him.
“We’ll see, but from what I was told today, he’s in a really good spot,” Black said.
Footnotes. Injured right- hander Wade Davis ( shoulder) threw at the alternative site on Thursday. Black said Davis is “feeling much better,” adding that there is a chance that Davis could return this season “in some capacity.” … Black is glad to see hard- throwing right- hander Jesus Tinoco back with the organization. Tinoco, traded to Miami earlier this season, was picked up on waivers by the Rockies on Thursday. For now, Tinoco will pitch at the alternative site. “It’s always good to have a big arm, for depth and we’ll see how this plays out,” Black said.