Rockies right-hander Tyler Kinley was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation earlier today, as noted by Luke Zahlmann of the Denver Gazette. While additional details of Kinley’s injury and his timetable for return are currently unclear, it’s a devastating blow for the 32-year-old righty, who made just seven appearances this season after working his way back from elbow surgery, which he underwent last June. Prior to his surgery, Kinley appeared to be something of a revelation out of the Rockies’ bullpen last year, with a dazzling 0.75 ERA, 1.74 FIP, and a 27% strikeout rate in 25 appearances with Colorado in 2022.
That strong showing led the club to extend Kinley last November with a contract that guaranteed him $6.25MM over the 2023-25 seasons. Now, it seems likely that the first of those seasons, at least, will bear little fruit. In his seven trips to the mound this season, Kinley struggled badly to a 9.53 ERA with two home runs allowed in 5 1/3 innings, though that of course is a small sample size immediately following a significant layoff from big league action. With the 2023 campaign already essentially lost for the 48-75 Rockies, the club’s top priority regarding Kinley seems likely to be ensuring he’s fully healthy and ready to go for the 2024 campaign.
More from around MLB’s West divisions…
- Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock exited today’s start against the Astros after just 31 pitches with a right shoulder strain, per a club announcement. While the club has not yet indicated whether Hancock will require a trip to the injured list, that seems to be the most likely outcome. After all, the 24-year-old Hancock is just three starts into his big league career and has already eclipsed his previous career-high for total innings with 110 frames of work between the majors and minors this season. If Hancock does require a trip to the shelf, the Mariners are well-equipped to weather the injury with fellow youngster Bryan Woo expected to be activated from the injured list later this week.
- Dodgers right-hander Daniel Hudson has managed just three innings of work this season thanks to first a torn ACL and then a sprained MCL, but the veteran hurler tells Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that he’s hopeful he can return to the Dodgers in time to be part of the club’s postseason bullpen. If that comes to pass, Hudson would surely provide a boost to the relief corps in LA. While Dodgers relievers rank 10th in the majors with a solid 3.85 ERA, the club’s bullpen has also handled the third-most innings of work in the NL this year, leaving them potentially vulnerable to losing steam as the season heads toward the stretch run. While Hudson seems focused on a comeback attempt this year, the 36-year-old also acknowledged that he’s contemplating the end of his playing days, noting that he’s “been in pretty consistent pain for about 15 months.” With that being said, Hudson ultimately was noncommittal on his plans post-2023, saying, “…maybe I give it another shot. If not, I’ve had a pretty good run and it is what it is at that point.”
No so sure the Mariners are “well-equipped to weather (Hancock’s) injury,” as they were hoping to limit Woo’s innings with the planned six-man (and maybe Kirby’s as well).
Exactly. Hancock was only in the majors to help manage innings for other young starters.
They’re all exciting, these new Mariners pitchers. I can’t wait to see Woo again.
He has electric stuff.
But I hope Hanc0ck’s strain heals quickly without a trip to the IL.
I’m sick and tired of seeing your lol’s. You have nothing constructive to say, only these long distance stand. Go away little sissy.
JJ, the Mute button is your friend.
gbs42, I used the FLAG button and disappeared him completely.
Maybe JJ is using the phone app where the Mute button has been broken for months.
Shannon Drayer reported that they were told Hancock suffered a lat strain, not a shoulder strain.
And Seattle isn’t ‘well-equipped’ to handle an IL stint. Woo needs to be handled carefully, hence the intent of a 6-man rotation.
They have the 24th and the 31st off, They can probably manipulate Woo’s first couple of starts to get extra rest, but then Seattle starts a 13-game stretch with the first 10 of them on the road.
So, maybe we’ll see McCaughan or Milone make a spot-start next month. I suppose it all really depends if Hancock will miss significant time.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see a roster move tomorrow after the ‘pen getting taxed today.
To be clear, the team Twitter account did state it was a shoulder strain. So, some clarity will be needed.
Both are worrisome.
Servais said it was the lat.
Worst case scenario- he’s out for the remainder of the year. Best case? M’s were being super cautious with Hancock like they did with Woo after his start vs LAA. He misses 1 start, maybe 2.
There is never a good time to have a SP injured but having Hancock rest/rehab as the M’s are about to face the Pitching Staffs of CWS, OAK, KC, CIN and NYM in their next 15 games? The M’s can get through this
Road Sweeps of LAA and HOU has set up an AL West Battle Royale! Its on TX!
Unfortunately, they don’t play LA again until the tail-end of the 13-game stretch.
It is what it is. We’ll just have to wait for more news. Kyle Hart is another name who might be in the mix for a spot-start, or relief depth. He was pretty good his last three starts with the Rainiers.
I think Adam Oller is an option here too if they do need another starter. He’s been pitching pretty well in AAA since they claimed him back in July. Hopefully its not serious and they can put Hancock on IL to bring up an extra BP arm for today. With Woo coming off IL this week and a day off on Thursday, they can make it with giving the extra rest to pitchers and bring Hancock back in 10 days to move forward with 6 man rotation. Now if injury is more serious than a little extra rest than maybe they look to someone like Oller.
Still waiting for you on the blog, Fred.
It’s time for Tommy Milone to do his spot start-DFA-outright do-si-do. And remember, we’re only 12 days from 2 extra players.
The Dodgers currently have a couple of no-names in the pen, but the need is nowhere near as dire as suggested. The rookies and underperformers plaguing them with short starts are gone, and the addition of the durable Lynn and multi-inning Yarbrough have reduced the workload to manageable levels. Nice that there may be guys available in Sept just in case, but they are in good shape as it stands.
have to agree and add that Julio has looked like himself recently and there’s strong potential for Walker to give them some innings. Miller is certainly in the mix and Pepiot looked strong last outing so we’ll see.
They needed a swingman like Yarborough in the pen from the start. Hard to know why they didn’t get one before the season began, or a least back in June.
That could have been Pepiots job until he was injured.
He was intended to be the #5 starter before he was injured.
He was intended to fill in for Gonsolin out of camp and then be a depth option.
No matter how it happened, he was going to be the #5 starter, a status that did not change until Opening Day. Depth options they’ve got.