LOS ANGELES — His performance suffering and back aching, Rockies reliever Matt Herges went on the disabled list today for the first time in his eight-year major-league career.
Colorado called up pitcher Ryan Speier from Triple-A Colorado Springs to replace him.
Herges said he has a bulging disc in his lower back that has been bothering him for about three weeks. Given his extended slump, Herges realized he could not continue pitching until he gets healthy again.
“It was just ego to say you’ve never been on the DL,” Herges said. “That would have been nice, but this is something we need to take care of.
“This will allow me to step back and get a better idea of why my pitches were lukewarm and belt-high, which get hit 10 ouf of 10 times at this level.”
The Rockies kept catcher Adam Melhuse here today to give Chris Iannetta’s left-foot injury more time to heal. Iannetta is not at catcher in tonight’s starting lineup against the Dodgers for the second straight night. But Iannetta said before the game that he is feeling better.
The Rockies, seeking a fifth consecutive victory, face Los Angeles right-hander Chad Billingsley tonight. Jeff Francis goes for Colorado.
A look at the Rockies’ lineup:
2B Quintanilla
CF Taveras
LF Holliday
RF Hawpe
1B Atkins
3B Stewart
SS Tulowitzki
C Torrealba
LHP Francis
