COLORADO ROCKIES

Kyle Freeland’s return is set as key lefty comes back from injury

Jun 20, 2024, 12:09 PM | Updated: 12:12 pm

The Colorado Rockies will get a big boost this weekend when left-handed starter Kyle Freeland returns from injury.

The 31-year-old has been out since April 14, dealing with an elbow strain in his throwing arm. He pinch ran a day later when he suffered a nasty collision that the team says is unrelated to the injury that has kept him out two months but it is suspicious he hasn’t played since. Freeland has made three rehab appearances this month, coming for the Rockies rookie ball team and Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. He threw 10 innings to a 2.70 ERA, granted it’s the minor leagues but those are much better than the numbers he had in the bigs during his first four starts this year. Freeland rejoins the rotation on Sunday with an 0-3 record and 13.21 ERA.

Freeland’s return on Sunday is the final game of the Rockies longest homestand of the season and it comes against the red-hot Nationals, who currently hold an NL Wildcard spot.

The start was supposed to be Austin Gomber’s so we’ll see if that means the lefty, who is having an awful month will be pushed out of the rotation. Gomber went from at least six strong in all four of his starts in May picking up one win with a 0.68 ERA in May to a June with a 9.68 ERA over four starts and 17.2 innings. The Rockies could also bump Gomber back two days with the off day Monday and be pulling Ryan Feltner from the rotation with his 7.59 ERA in June.

Kyle Freeland’s injury was the least serious but he’s the first of three Rockies pitchers who could all be again on big league mounds in the coming weeks. Both German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela are recovering from Tommy John Surgery with the first arm being a bit ahead of the second.

Freeland has struggled the last two years but when the eighth-year Rockie is healthy and performing, he’s been one of the better and more reliable arms in franchise history.

Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals points to Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies dur...

Jake Shapiro

Report: Cardinals may trade millions of dollars just to move Nolan Arenado

The St. Louis Cardinals may be on the verge of doing exactly what the Colorado Rockies did a few years ago; trading Nolan Arenado and a stash of cash to another club

7 hours ago

Charlie Condon was selected third overall by the Colorado Rockies during the 2024 MLB Draft...

Jake Shapiro

Experts say Rockies have just two of MLB’s top 100 prospects

It might be a long time before the Colorado Rockies pull themselves out of their rut if two separate MLB top 100 prospects lists are to be trusted

14 days ago

Colorado Rockies Owner Dick Monfort unveils an artwork for Charlie Blackmon at a ceremony honoring ...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies keep Charlie Blackmon around, hiring him for front office role

One of the best players in Rockies is staying with Colorado, Charlie Blackmon has been hired as special assistant to the general manager

17 days ago

The statue of 'The Player' is dusted with snow outside the stadium as Game 3 of the National League...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies fall in draft lottery, will likely miss out on Matt Holliday’s son

The Colorado Rockies fell in MLB's third-ever lottery for the league's 2025 Draft, and will pick at number four

2 months ago

Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies turns the first half of a double play against Thairo Est...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies ink veteran to replace Rodgers at second base

The Rockies are taking a chance on a veteran second baseman in hopes of a rebound year to replace Brendan Rodgers

2 months ago

ULY 24: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after s...

Jake Shapiro

Bud Black says the obvious about Rockies slugger Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant’s time with the Rockies has been a disaster thus far but club manager Bud Black believes things could turn around in 2025

2 months ago

Kyle Freeland’s return is set as key lefty comes back from injury