Adam Ottavino, returning from Tommy John surgery, has begun throwing curveballs off the mound — the next step toward his return.
(Denver Post file)
Step-by-step, Rockies right-hander and former closer Adam Ottavino is coming back from last May’s Tommy John surgery.
In his last bullpen session, he threw breaking balls off the mound for the first time. He’ll do that again on Wednesday, and if all goes well, he’ll head back to the club’s spring training facility in Scottsdale, Ariz. next week to slowly expand his throwing program.
There is no timetable for Ottavino’s return. It could be sometime around the All-Star Game in mid-July, but that is a very soft target date.
“I feel good, I’m making progress,” Ottavino said Tuesday before the Rockies hosted the Giants.
Here are some more injury updates:
** Right-handed starter Jon Gray will pitch another rehab assignment for High-A Modesto. He’s scheduled to pitch on Friday, hiking his pitch count up to about 85 pitches, meaning he could pitch six innings.
Gray, recovering from a strained abdomen, made his first rehab start on Sunday for Modesto, throwing 64 pitches in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs on four hits, struck out three and walked one.
“He felt great, 100 percent,” trainer Keith Dugger said. “He struck out the first three batters he faced.”
Manager Walt Weiss said Gray has made excellent progress.
“It was all positive stuff,” Weiss said. “He came out of it healthy and he threw the ball well. … We need him to make another start and get a little bit deeper (into the game).”
** Right-handed reliever Jason Motte, expected to be a big part of the back of the bullpen, has yet to make his Rockies debut, but he’s making some progress. He’s in Scottsdale, still healing his sore shoulder.
“He’s doing strengthening exercises,” Dugger said. “The next step for him is to start playing catch and we should see that in the next couple of days. He’s pain free. We are just letting it heal a little bit.”
** Lefty starter Tyler Anderson (strained oblique) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session in Scottsdale Tuesday, and is making progress toward a rehab start.
** Infielder Dan Descaslo (broken hand) remains a long way from returning to the field. He’s scheduled to have his brace removed on April 25 or 26.
** Lefty starter Tyler Matzek (anxiety) is also in Scottsdale. He’s worked his way up to 35-pitch bullpen sessions.
“We are still just kind of going a bullpen at a time,” Dugger said.
