The whirlwind of a season for southpaw reliever Phillip Diehl is about to get a little crazier.
Colorado selected Diehl’s contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, setting the 24-year-old up for his major-league debut.
“This could be the start of a long career,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We’ll see how it plays out, but this kid has some talent.”
Diehl came over from the Yankees via a trade for outfielder Mike Tauchman on March 23. He was assigned to Double-A Hartford but quickly moved up to a Triple-A on May 4 after dominating for the Yard Goats. His arsenal features a four-seam fastball (91-94 mph), a slider (81-83) and a changeup (84-87).
“The trade was a whirlwhind because I wasn’t expecting to be traded,” Diehl said. “But this was a great opportunity for me. I’m not (a flamethrower like) Aroldis Chapman, so I don’t know if I was going to break into the Yankee bullpen this year. I’m excited for this opportunity.”
In a corresponding roster move, the Rockies placed right-hander on the 10-day injured list with a left abdominal strain retroactive to June 7.
Diehl has 2.72 career ERA in the minors, while the 36-year-old Oh has struggled mightily this season with a 9.33 ERA in 21 appearances. For his part, Diehl — a former 27th-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech who will wear No. 64 for Colorado — believes he’s ready to handle the challenges of pitching at elevation.
“I’m not really a flyball pitcher — I’m a groundball and strikeout pitcher, so I think I’ll be okay,” Diehl said.
On Deck
Cubs LHP Jose Quintana (4-5, 3.77 ERA) at Rockies RHP Peter Lambert (1-0, 1.29)
6:40 p.m. Tuesday,
ճ:AT&T SportsNet
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Lambert has set the bar high coming into his Coors Field debut, with seven innings of one-run ball against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his first major-league start. But now the Cubs, who K’d nine times against Lambert in that game, have a slight book on the right-hander, and manager Joe Maddon’s squad will no doubt adjust its approaches to barreling up Lambert’s plus-changeup. Meanwhile, Colorado hit Quintana for three runs in 7 ⅓ innings in Lambert’s debut last week, and the southpaw has struggled on the road this season with a 5.02 ERA.
Trending: Entering Monday, the Rockies’ has reached base in 20 consecutive games, the fifth-longest streak in the majors. It’s the fourth-longest streak in his career, and out of those 20 games, the right fielder has recorded hits in 18 of them.
At issue: Looking ahead shortly down the road, the next few weeks could seriously sink the Rockies’ divisional title hopes … or revive them if the club can get hot. Colorado, 11 games behind Los Angeles entering Monday, has 17 games against divisional opponents the rest of June — including seven against the Dodgers.
Upcoming pitching matchups
±Ա岹:LHP Cole Hamels (5-2, 3.24 ERA) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (5-4, 4.95), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Padres LHP Joey Lucchesi (5-3, 4.21) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (5-5, 4.27), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Friday: Padres LHP Nick Margevicius (2-6, 5.02) at Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (1-3, 8.06), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
