The Rockies are set to reintroduce Kyle Freeland to their rotation on Sunday against the Nationals. Freeland, who started on Opening Day for Colorado, has been sidelined since April 19 due to an elbow strain.
Despite initial concerns, Freeland managed to avoid surgery. He completed three rehab appearances — one at the team’s complex and two with Triple-A Albuquerque. Most recently, he pitched four innings on Tuesday, accumulating 67 pitches. During his Triple-A stint, Freeland allowed just three runs across eight innings.
Colorado hopes Freeland’s return will spark a turnaround after a rough start to the season. In his first four outings, he struggled, averaging less than four innings per start and conceding 25 runs over 15 2/3 innings. He issued eight walks, recorded nine strikeouts, and gave up three home runs.
Currently on the 60-day injured list, Freeland will need to be reinstated onto the 40-man roster. Earlier in the week, the Rockies freed up a spot by placing reliever Gavin Hollowell on waivers. Barring additional roster moves, they may option out a pitcher to accommodate Freeland’s return to the active roster.
In other injury updates for Colorado, manager Bud Black mentioned that rookie infielder Adael Amador sustained a mild oblique strain during a recent game against the Dodgers (reported by Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post).
Although the injury isn’t expected to be prolonged, Amador is likely headed to the 10-day injured list. The Rockies promoted Amador directly from Double-A Hartford earlier this month when Brendan Rodgers was placed on the IL.
Amador, one of the organization’s top prospects, was promoted despite batting .194/.337/.329 in Double-A, making his immediate success in the majors unlikely. As anticipated, he has struggled, posting a .171 average with one walk in 36 plate appearances.
Black had previously indicated plans to option Amador back to Double-A once Rodgers was ready to return (per Luke Zahlmann of the Denver Gazette). However, the stint on the injured list will delay this move, but it is expected that Amador will return to Hartford once he is fully recovered. Rodgers has started a rehab assignment in Albuquerque and is likely to rejoin the Rockies in the near future.
