Rockies pitcher Dollander leaves game with right arm tightness

Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander left Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh after just 28 pitches with what was officially announced as right arm tightness.

Dollander shook his right hand after a five-pitch walk to Jared Triolo, the second batter he faced in the second inning. Team trainer Keith Dugger and manager Warren Schaeffer emerged from the dugout to chat with Dollander, who threw a pair of pitches, then shook his right arm.

At that point, they elected to lift him. Brennand Bernardino entered, and it became a bullpen game from there.

Dollander’s last pitch, a four-seam fastball, was 96 MPH, well below his typical four-seamer velocity.

Prior to being pulled, Dollander struggled. Oneil Cruz doubled on his first pitch of the game; two batters later, Bryan Reynolds singled to score Cruz.

Two pitches later, Ryan O’Hearn turned on a 98-MPH fastball and crushed it into the center-field stands, putting Dollander and the Rockies into a 3-0 hole.

DOLLANDER HAS SHOWN THE PROMISE THAT MADE HIM THE ROCKIES’ ROUND 1 PICK IN 2023

A significant injury to Dollander would be a crushing blow, as his form to date this season has offered signs that he could be the potential ace the rotation has needed.

Working with an opener in six of his appearances to help build his confidence, Dollander flourished, entering Thursday’s play with a 3.35 ERA. Schaeffer opted to use him as a traditional starter in two of his previous three outings heading into Thursday, and he delivered in both, shutting out the New York Mets on April 26 and holding the powerful Philadelphia Phillies lineup to two runs over 5 2/3 innings last Friday night.

Dollander had lasted at least 5 1/3 innings in five-consecutive appearances prior to Thursday.

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