As manager Bud Black put it, the Rockies “dodged a bullet” when X-rays of right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez’s right hand came back negative on Sunday night. Estevez is a candidate to be the club’s closer, going forward.
“That was a situation that did not look good when we were on the field and when we retreated into the clubhouse,” Black said prior to the Rockies’ game Monday night at Houston. “But the doctors checked him out and we saw the scan and the scan looks good.”
Estevez, called on to get one out and close the Rockies’ 10-6 victory over Texas on Sunday, took a hard line drive off the back of his right hand off the bat of the Rangers’ Scott Heineman. Estevez was in obvious pain as he came off the field after notching his first save of the season.
Estevez is with the team in Houston but was unavailable to pitch Monday night and doubtful for Tuesday’s game.
“He was able to make a fist and he was able to have grip strength, but it was swollen yesterday,” Black said, adding that treatment has brought the swelling down. “He wasn’t going to be available tonight anyway, but it seems awful quick for him to be available tomorrow.
“We are crossing our fingers, but it looks like he’s going to be able to remain active and be a part of our bullpen.”
Estevez has posted a 3.38 ERA in 11 games (10 2/3 innings) with eight strikeouts and three walks. He’s dealt with quite a bit of traffic, as illustrated by his 1.50 WHIP and .295 batting average against. But Black expressed confidence in him.
“On balance, the greater majority of his appearances have been really good,” Black said. “He’s helped us win, and the last couple of outings I’ve seen an increase in velocity, which is a good thing.”
Candid comments. All-star right fielder Charlie Blackmon was asked to assess where the Rockies stand with more than one-third of the season completed.
“The real key is, are you going to be that team wire to wire all season and when it counts in the playoffs? Thatap something we haven’t done yet. Until we do, you can’t give us too much credit.”
The Rockies entered Monday’s game with a 13-8 record, third-best in the National League behind the Dodgers (16-7) and the Cubs (13-6).
Roster move. Colorado placed catcher Elias Díaz on the restricted list and recalled right-handed reliever Ashton Goudeau from their alternate training site. The Rockies did not specify why Diaz is going on the restricted list, but the move is not related to COVID-19.
