It turns out something was wrong with Jon Gray after all.
The Rockies on Friday placed the struggling right-handed starter on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday. The club also recalled right-hander José Mujica from their alternate training site.
“After his last start, his shoulder was a little tender, a little inflamed,” manager Bud Black said before Friday night’s game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. “That happens from start to start over a period of time with all pitchers and sometimes you’re able to fight through it.”
But not this time.
Gray was charged with seven runs on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 23–5 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday night. His ERA has ballooned to 6.69, he has a 1.44 WHIP and batters are hitting .281 against him.
“I’ve got to find a way to get my (velocity) back up. I’ve got to find a way to snap my slider off,” Gray said after Tuesday’s game.
Black emphasized that although the shoulder has been bothering Gray for a couple of starts, the injury is not considered serious and Black characterized the move to the IL as proactive.
“This time, there was just a little bit more general soreness and we thought it might get in the way of his next start … put some sort of constraint on his next start, so we decided to do it now,” Black said.
Gray’s average fastball velocity has dipped, from 96 mph last season to 93.9 mph this season. On Wednesday, however, Black rejected the idea that Gray had a sore arm or was fatigued. On Friday, Black explained that Gray’s soreness flared up more than usual.
“Every pitcher is a little sore after every start,” Black said. “With Jon, the next couple of days it didn’t really resolve itself like it usually does.”
Gray’s injury necessitates a rotation shuffle. Black said that rookie Ryan Castellani will now start Sunday’s game against the Dodgers. Monday in San Diego, Colorado could start lefty Kyle Freeland or possibly right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez.
Dahl’s closer. Outfielder David Dahl, on the IL with a side/lower back injury, took multiple at-bats with the Rockies’ alternative site squad on Friday in Denver and could join the 28-man roster soon.
“David had a good day today,” Black said. “Word got back to me that he felt great. He swung the bat well, the ball was coming off the bat, he was driving the ball.”
Black said he expects Dahl to join the team on its West Coast road trip and then the club will decide when to activate him.
“We’ll see, but from what I was told today, he’s in a really good spot,” Black said.
Footnotes. Injured right-hander Wade Davis (shoulder) threw at the alternative site on Thursday. Black said Davis is “feeling much better,” adding that there is a chance that Davis could return this season “in some capacity.” … Black is glad to see hard-throwing right-hander Jesus Tinoco back with the organization. Tinoco, traded to Miami earlier this season, was picked up on waivers by the Rockies on Thursday. For now, Tinoco will pitch at the alternative site. “It’s always good to have a big arm, for depth and we’ll see how this plays out,” Black said.
On Deck
Rockies RHP Germán Márquez (2–5, 4.88 ERA) at Dodgers RHP Tony Gonsolin (0–0, 0.51)
7:10 p.m. Saturday, Dodger Stadium
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
If the Rockies are going to make the playoffs — and make some noise should they get there, — they’ll need Marquez to rebound. He’s coming off a loss to the Padres at Coors Field in which he gave up five runs on eight hits over six innings. Manager Bud Black said that Marquez’s stuff is still good but acknowledged that the right-hander his been missing location with his fastball and slider. Marquez is trying to escape a career-long four-game losing streak (over his last five starts) in which he has a 6.83 ERA. He is 2–1 with a 2.54 ERA in eight career starts vs. the Dodgers and 2–1 with a 1.99 ERA in five career starts at Dodger Stadium. Gonsolin, who throws a split-finger changeup, has faced the Rockies just once in his career, on July 30, 2019, recording a save when he pitched four innings of relief, giving up one earned run and striking out three. Even after pitching only three innings and allowing his first run of the season against Texas last Sunday, Gonsolin still owns a 0.51 ERA. He was called up from the Dodgers’ alternative training site but it appears likely that he has found a spot in the rotation.
Trending: Nolan Arenado entered Friday night’s game with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs vs. the Dodgers, second only to Todd Helton (48 homers, 153 RBIs) all-time among Rockies players.
At issue: Catcher Tony Wolters has struggled against Dodgers pitching, especially in Los Angeles. Wolters entered Friday night’s game batting .160 against L.A. (15-for-94) and .114 (5‑for-44) at Dodger Stadium.
Pitching Probables:
Sunday: Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani (1–2, 4.81) at Dodgers LHP Julio Urias (3–0, 3.27), 8:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Rockies TBD at Padres RHP Dinelson Lamet (2–1, 2.62), 7:10 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2–1, 4.09) at Padres RHP Mike Clevinger (1–2, 3.14), 7:10 p.m., ATTRM