Bettis pitches two strong innings in first rehab start
Chad Bettis’ next big step was a big success.
The Rockies right-hander, working his way back from testicular cancer, made his first rehab start Thursday, pitching two innings for Double-A Hartford against Trenton, the New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate.
Bettis struck out three, gave up no hits and allowed one unearned run. He faced eight batters and threw 31 pitches, 19 for strikes.
Bettis, who underwent chemotherapy this spring and summer, has been working out with the Rockies and slowly building himself back into form. He began his comeback with bullpen sessions and then threw a simulated game last week.
Bettis was charged with an unearned run in the first inning. Yankees’ No. 4 prospect Jorge Mateo reached on an error by Yard Goats third baseman Josh Fuentes, then stole second base. With one out, Trenton’s Thairo Estrada reached on a fielder’s choice, with Mateo taking third. Bettis then allowed a sacrifice fly to Billy Fleming before striking out Zach Zehner to end the inning.
Bettis pitched a one-twothree second inning, striking out two and inducing a grounder to second.
Bettis, 28, is currently on the 60-day disabled list. He was 14-8 with a 4.79 ERA last season, and led the Rockies with 186 innings pitched. Colorado was 21-11 over his 32 starts.
There is no specific timetable for his return to the Rockies, but it could be before the end of the month.