The Rockies’ suddenly deep pitching rotation could get a back-door boost soon — long reliever Christian Bergman will start a rehab assignment Wednesday.
The 28-year-old right-hander is scheduled to throw 60 pitches for Triple-A Albuquerque at Fresno in his first game since straining a rib muscle May 19 at St. Louis. Saturday, he threw a three-inning, 45-pitch simulated game at Marlins Park and passed the physical tests.
“I couldn’t sneeze without feeling any pain for about two or three weeks. I have allergies, but I was lucky. It just wasn’t that time of year, I guess,” Bergman said of his strained oblique.
“But today I didn’t feel like I was holding anything back.”
Bergman’s return to the bullpen in the coming days will force the Rockies into some rotation decisions. Right-hander Eddie Butler has the long-arm role, after he was moved to the bullpen so rookie lefty Tyler Anderson could start. Chris Rusin (shoulder inflammation) and Jorge De La Rosa (currently starting) also have been in long relief. Tyler Chatwood (), Chad Bettis and Jon Gray fill out the current rotation.
Bergman will work up to starter’s length in the minors for his rehab.
“We’ll at least build him up to five innings,” manager Walt Weiss said.
Raburn split. Rockies left fielder Ryan Raburn dodged an Adam Conley pitch Friday night that somehow flew between his legs. “I’ve never had that happen,” he said.
Conley, a left-hander, lost a pitch inside to the right-hitting Raburn, and when Raburn flinched to jump out of the way, the ball sneaked between his knees.
“The catcher asked me, ‘Did that go through your legs?’ I said, ‘I don’t know what just happened!’ I just didn’t want to wear it on my shin. All I know is, I didn’t get hit and the ball ended up behind me,” Raburn said.
Through the legs … how?
— MLB (@MLB)
Arenado’s basket flick. Nolan Arenado ranged to his left Friday to glove a grounder, but without time to throw he launched the ball like a lacrosse player, from the web of his glove to second baseman DJ LeMahieu for an out. The glove flip is not rare, but Arenado was closer to third base than to second and flung the ball about 45 feet.
“I’ve never done that, that long,” Arenado said. “My body got in the way, so I had to make it work.”
Nolan just makes it look SO easy.
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs)
