There was an explanation behind reliever 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 last 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,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said Tuesday. “He will fill the same role that Bowie had.”
Bowie (0-1, 9.00 ERA) joins Luis Vizcaino on the DL.
Vizcaino’s absence is more worrisome. He was eligible to return from shoulder soreness last week but is not even playing catch. The Rockies are proceeding cautiously with the highest-paid free-agent reliever in team history. The injury appears similar to what starter Jason Hirsh suffered; Hirsch has targeted June as his return date. Vizcaino’s MRI this week showed inflammation.
“We just have to be patient,” O’Dowd said.
Sign here please.
As part of his new contract with Louisville Slugger, Ryan Spilborghs has his signature on his bats. Just looking at his name on the lumber was hard to comprehend.
“I wanted to cry the first time I saw it,” Spilborghs said. “As a kid it was always a dream to someday use a Louisville Slugger like the big-leaguers. It’s really hard to believe.”
Footnotes.
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki entered as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning, with Clint Barmes shifting to second base. Jeff Baker recorded two hits, but struggled with his footwork on double plays, charged with one throwing error. . . . O’Dowd, on the second-base situation: “I said this winter that we would have several guys competing for the job and that hopefully one would step up and take over. Clint (Barmes) is to going to get that chance to see if he can keep it going.” . . . Pitching coach Bob Apodaca remained away from the team to tend to a family matter. Bullpen coach Rick Mathews filled his spot.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
