Estevez survives scary hand incident

Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez feared the worst.

On Aug. 16 at Coors Field against Texas Rangers, the 27year- old Dominican watched a line drive come off the bat of Scott Heineman and drill Estevez’s right pitching hand.

He winced in pain after his first save of the season — and wondered if it might be over.

“The way that it got swollen, I thought ( my hand) was broken,” Estevez said Saturday on a video conference call. “It felt pretty bad.”

Thankfully, the x- rays were negative, and Estevez has been positive on the mound ever since.

Entering Game 2 Saturday at home against the Padres, he posted a 2.25 ERA with no runs allowed over his last five outings. Estevez has tallied 13 strikeouts.

“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Estevez said. “My feel came back. I’m pitching well. … Sometimes my fastball is off and I’m missing a lot, but my slider and changeup are there to back me up. That’s how I feel like I grew up in confidence. I can pitch based on my off- speed ( pitches), too, and show my fastball. That’s something that has made me better.”

Estevez has made significant strides as a reliever with his ERA falling in each of the last three seasons.

“The consistency of a reliever is something that’s valued,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We feel as though we have a good one in Carlos. A consistent performer. I think that can continue into the future. He’s a guy that can contribute at the backend of the game … to get four or five outs if needed.”

Gonzalez returns. The Rockies announced Saturday that they have called up right- handed pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez from the 10- day IL after he dealt with a biceps strain.

Colorado optioned right- handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau to their alternate training site at

Metro State.

Dahl update. Rockies outfielder David Dahl went on the 10- day IL on Aug. 19 with lower- back soreness and is making progress toward a return.

He had struggled in 19 games this season with a .189 batting average and 21 strikeouts.

“David is feeling better,” Black said. “There’s no timetable for his return. I wish I could add something more, but David was here earlier receiving treatment. He’s getting better. Not quite sure when he’ll be back in there.”