LATEST NEWS

May 19: RHP Jake Bird placed on the 15-day injured list (right elbow inflammation); RHP Matt Koch's contract selected from Triple-A Albuquerque; INF Julio Carreras designated for assignment
When healthy, Bird will likely need a rehab assignment to return to the consistency that led to him being trusted for 70 appearances last season.

"We need to figure out what was going on, and we haven't quite got there yet mechanics-wise," manager Bud Black said. "So sending him down has two different points: giving him a breather, letting him exhale a little bit, and get back to what he does best -- a good sinker down in the strike zone, and a couple of different breaking balls, get them in the strike zone."

Koch, 33, who finished last season strongly in the Rockies' bullpen, was off to a solid start at Albuquerque (3-1, 2.53 ERA in 21 1/3 innings over 18 appearances).

"You look at his numbers -- ERA in the 2's, in that league and in that ballpark, that's legit," Black said. "We know what we're going to get -- a fastball 92-94, a cutter at 90, and he's good against both left and right."

The right-handed-hitting Carreras earned a roster spot with solid work last season and a strong offensive season in the Dominican Winter League. But Carreras is off to a .181 start this season with Albuquerque, leading to him to being designated for assignment.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

LHP Kyle Freeland (left elbow strain)
Expected return: Mid-June
Freeland continued his catch sessions and on May 19 set up about 50 feet from catcher Elias Díaz -- himself testing a left hand injury that has kept him out of the lineup in recent days -- and threw his fastball from his regular motion on flat ground. The veteran starter, trying to avoid risking further injury, said he doesn't have a date for throwing off a mound. He also will have a Minor League rehab assignment after building strength in bullpens and live batting-practice sessions. (Last updated: May 19)

RHP Jake Bird (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: June 3
Bird (1-1, 6.10 ERA in 19 appearances) has struggled mightily with command -- 15 walks, including five to first batters. The struggles came after last season when Bird, 28, led the Rockies with 70 appearances and was one of the team's most trusted and consistent relievers. (Last updated: May 19)

1B Kris Bryant (low back strain)
Expected return: Possibly May 21 in Oakland
Bryant went 1-for-4 while playing extensively in Triple-A Albuquerque's May 17 game, a wild, 14-12 home loss to Sugar Land. Needless to say, playing that long in right field is a test for Bryant – who last appeared for the Rockies on April 13 but has made three appearances for Albuquerque. The plan is to play him at Albuquerque on May 18 and May 19 before recalling him from the rehab assignment. (Last updated: May 18)

OF Nolan Jones (low back strain)
Expected return: Possibly May 21 in Oakland
Jones went 1-for-4 on May 17 in the third game of his injury rehab assignment. He played most of the long-lasting 14-12 loss to Sugar Land. He, like rehabbing teammate Kris Bryant, is scheduled to play for Albuquerque on May 18 and May 19 before being recalled from the rehab assignment. (Last updated: May 18)

60-DAY IL

RHP Germán Márquez (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Around midseason
Manager Bud Black is encouraged by the progress of Márquez, who pitched 1 2/3 innings on May 10 in an Arizona Complex League game -- his first time in a game that counted since sustaining the elbow injury last April 26 at Cleveland. Black said Márquez will have a full Spring Training-type regimen, which will include a lengthy Minor League rehab assignment. After receiving clarification on rehab assignment rules, the Rockies are spacing Márquez's ACL appearances apart far enough that he can restart his rehab clock. He is throwing in extended spring camp between ACL appearances. (Last updated: May 17)

LHP Lucas Gilbreath (Tommy John surgery/left shoulder discomfort)
Expected return: TBD
Gilbreath is showing progress in rehab exercises, manager Bud Black said, but there is no timetable for him to resume throwing. The problem is no longer his elbow. He was pitching on April 23, the first game of a rehab assignment for his elbow injury, when he felt discomfort at the back of his left shoulder and was shut down. (Last updated: May 10)

RHP Antonio Senzatela (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD
Senzatela, throwing long toss at 120 feet, joined the team in Miami and traveled to Pittsburgh as a change of pace, to rehab under the eye of the Major League staff rather than at the training center in Scottsdale, Ariz. It means Senzatela watched three gut-punch losses in Miami but was there to "support my guys." The Rockies are counting on Senzatela for 2025; however, he expects to make some Minor League appearances in August, and "hopefully pitch a game in September." His recovery is going smoothly. (Last updated: May 3)

RHP Daniel Bard (right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Bard, who tore the meniscus in his left knee while playing catch prior to Spring Training and underwent surgery, had a setback rehabbing and will undergo season-ending surgery on his right arm on May 1. The Rockies placed him on the 60-day IL to add LHP Ty Blach to the active roster.

Bard, 38, is in the final year of a two-year, $19 million contract. Bard has said he would like to return after a year of rehab, but he will see how he feels and consult his family before committing to pitching again. Read more >> (Last updated: April 21)

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