Kyle Freeland looks healthy again in season debut for the Rockies

Kyle Freeland made his season debut in New York on Tuesday, looking healthy in a 3-1 loss to the Mets. In a game that the Rockies were unsurprisingly outclassed by two-time Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom, Freeland’s health — not his performance — was the primary concern. The Rockies got promising signs from both just the same.

“Overall, I’m pleased with everything, especially with my health,” Freeland said after the game. “That was, I’m sure, the first thing on everyone’s mind today — making sure that I’m healthy and I’m able to do my job without any doubt in my mind.”

Mission accomplished. Freeland allowed a run in his first inning, but none in the next three, as he pitched a solid four frames, striking out five Mets in a 74-pitch outing. Freeland knew that in his first game back, his deception wasn’t likely to be in midseason form, and credited the Mets’ lineup for their preparation.

“I’m sure they thought I was going to be very changeup-heavy, which I was. I threw some very quality changeups to guys that they ended up spitting on. Usually, I’m getting swings and misses and weak contact off those changeups.”

Nevertheless, Freeland and the Rockies understand that it’s a process, and that their lefty hurler will continue to mix in more pitches as he goes. He gave the Rockies a chance to win on Tuesday; his next chance is expected to come on Sunday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

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NEXT UP: Rockies (19-30, 4th in NL West) at Mets (22-20, 1st in NL East) | Wednesday, May 26 at 5:10 p.m. | COL: German Marquez (3-4, 4.82 ERA) vs. NYM: Marcus Stroman (3-4, 2.75 ERA)

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NOTES

• Ryan McMahon hit his 13th home run of the season off of Mets ace Jacob deGrom, giving the Rockies’ home run leader four in the last five games. On facing the two-time Cy Young Award winner, McMahon said, “Obviously, you respect him, but you don’t just roll up and play dead for him.”

• Dom Nunez threw out a pair of would-be base stealers on Tuesday. Before the game, Nunez had allowed 17 stolen bases while throwing out only one runner all season.

• Manager Bud Black has faith in closer Daniel Bard, but when the 2020 NL Comeback Player of the Year’s arm is overtaxed, Black is willing to give Carlos Estevez a shot to not only fill in, but perhaps even take the job. Estevez got the save on Monday after Bard threw 41 pitches the day before. “We feel as though with his frequency of how his arm is, how he’s been pitching, that’s probably the way we’ll go — with Daniel as the ninth-inning guy, for now,” Black said. “But that’s one of the reasons why I shot Carlos in there [Monday] night. He’s capable of pitching the ninth inning, as well. Hopefully, his recent performance continues… Potentially he could be the guy. I don’t think we’re going to juggle them, per se. In a perfect world, if they’re both rested and ready to go, Daniel — as of now — would be the preferred choice to pitch the ninth inning.”

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THE FINAL WORD

“He’s going to compete hard, no matter what’s happening in the course of the game. Tonight, his stuff was moving a lot. The ball had great action, and (the Mets) did a great job of laying off pitches below the zone. But the stuff was good.” — Manager Bud Black, on Kyle Freeland’s return from a strained left shoulder.

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STARTING LINEUP

LF Raimel Tapia
SS Trevor Story
RF Charlie Blackmon
1B C.J. Cron
3B Ryan McMahon
2B Brendan Rodgers
CF Garrett Hampson
C Dom Nunez
SP Kyle Freeland

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INJURY WATCH

• Matt Adams (shin) joined Triple-A Albuquerque on a rehab assignment May 24. The Rockies hope he can be activated in early June.
• Ben Bowden (strained left shoulder) was placed one the 10-day IL on May 16.
• Chris Owings (left thumb surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-April and will likely be out until the All-Star break.
• Scott Oberg (blood clots) had surgery prior to the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Mar. 27 and his season is in doubt.

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Shawn Drotar is the host of “The Fan Late Night with Shawn Drotar;” weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight — only on 104.3 The Fan

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