Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis will make his return to the mound at Coors Field Monday after a battle with cancer.
The return marks the end of a hard-fought fight against the disease for Bettis, and represents the beginning of a new chapter.
Bettis has missed the entire 2017 season to date fighting the disease, but is set to join a Rockies club that is in the thick of the postseason hunt. With a record of 65-51, Colorado is currently in tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first Wild Card spot in the National League.
Bettis will be a welcome addition to the Rockies starting rotation, a group that has featured four rookies for a majority of the season.
At 28, Bettis has the most experience among Rockies starters, instantly making him the veteran of the youngest rotation in baseball. With a lifetime record of 23-19 and ERA of 5.01, Bettis will give the Rockies dependency from the get-go, and almost acts as a trade deadline acquisition given that he hasn’t stepped foot on the mound yet this season.
Performace aside, Bettis will give the Rockies an immediate spark within the clubhouse. All season long, Rockies players have sported shirts with themes about defeating cancer in support of Bettis.
Since his diagnosis in November, Bettis has been a source of inspiration for the Rockies. When he returns, that inspiration could help elevate Colorado’s play with the season dwindling down and pressure ramping up.
The Rockies will begin a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves Monday. First pitch for Monday’s game is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. MDT.
