Rockies Briefs PITCHER OTTAVINO HAS “NASTY” STUFF
Adam Ottavino’s next step in a long climb back from Tommy John surgery was to buckle somebody’s knees. But he needed a right-handed hitter, somebody to point a slider toward before it broke back out of view.
So in stepped Vinny Castilla, owner of 1,884 career hits. The Rockies assistant coach hit off multiple Hall of Famers in a 16year career. So why not a little batting practice on a sunny spring morning?
“It felt like he was throwing 120 mph,” Castilla said of Ottavino. “He was nasty.”
Saturday, Ottavino passed his test. The right-handed reliever threw 21 pitches at Coors Field with his full arsenal, a major move back toward the big leagues.
This was no ordinary batting practice. Ottavino last pitched in a game more than 13 months ago, a shutdown inning against the San Francisco Giants in Denver. In 10 games last season, he allowed just three hits and no runs. But a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his arm forced Ottavino into elbow reconstruction surgery.
“I didn’t sleep very well last night. I was thinking about it,” Ottavino said. “Whenever you take that next step, it’s always exciting.”
Ottavino is following protocol in his rehab, with progressive steps to push his arm back into shape. He threw for the first time after surgery in August. Then he moved to long toss. Then pitching off a mound, then breaking balls. He faced live hitters for the first time Saturday.
“I’m sure it looked real firm to Vinny,” said Rockies manager Walt Weiss. “I commend him for getting in there. (Ottavino) is throwing hard. There’s a lot of life. It looks pretty much like it always has.”
Ottavino used the BP session to set his sights against Castilla, Rockies switch-hitter Cristhian Adames and bullpen catcher Aaron Muñoz. He threw fastballs, changeups and sliders.
“I haven’t seen a hitter in there in a while,” Ottavino said. “Especially with my breaking ball, I can throw it at the hitter a little bit and gauge where it started from, rather than just imagining a hitter in there.”
Ottavino will throw two more live batting practices. The Rockies will then send him out to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. His progress and timeline will be monitored by the club’s head trainer, Keith Dugger, following protocol and feel.
It’s possible Ottavino could return near the all-star break in mid-July.
“It’s just a matter of time now,” Ottavino said. “I just need a little more practice. I’m not really worried about my elbow. I just need to practice to get as sharp as I can.”
Tyler Chatwood, in his first season since a second Tommy John surgery in 2014, has come back with force. He gave up just one run on four hits over seven innings Friday against the Giants, lowering his ERA to 2.69. That’s the thirdlowest ERA among Rockies pitchers through 10 games, behind Ubaldo Jimenez (0.88 in 2010) and Mike Hampton (2.65 in 2001), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.