There was an explanation behind Micah Bowie’s worst outing as a Rockie.
After surrendering three runs in one inning Monday night, Bowie landed on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained left forearm. The injury isn’t believed to be serious, but the Rockies won’t know for sure until they examine his MRI results.
Bowie has been managing the pain for much of the season. Given the workload the bullpen has absorbed over the past five games, the Rockies couldn’t afford to pitch around their only left-hander in front of Brian Fuentes. Josh Newman was promoted from Triple-A Colorado Springs to replace Bowie.
“He had a good spring, threw strikes,” general manger Dan O’Dowd said Tuesday. “He will fill the same role that Bowie had.”
Bowie is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. He’s the second reliever to be sidelined, joining Luis Vizcaino, whose absence is more worrisome. Vizcaino was eligible to return from shoulder soreness last week, but is not even playing catch. The Rockies are proceeding cautiously with his shoulder. The injury appears similar to that suffered by Jason Hirsh, who target June as his return date. Vizcaino’s MRI this week showed inflammation.
The Rockies’ bullpen has compiled a 3.66 ERA despite regularly gobbling innings from abbreviated starts and working 15 innings in the 22-inning victory over San Diego.
