The Colorado Rockies are hurting, literally and figuratively, after losing six of their last eight games, four in devastating fashion as the bullpen gave up late leads. Not only is Colorado looking for answers in relief pitching, they’ve lost three everyday starters in the span of two weeks.
The latest injury bug struck Thursday in a 12-9 victory over the Texas Rangers when first baseman Mark Reynolds suffered a broken hamate bone in his left hand. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday. Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post has reported that Reynolds will undergo surgery and miss at least four weeks.
Colorado recalled first baseman/outfielder Ben Paulsen from Triple-A Albuquerque to compensate. Paulsen started the season with the major league club, hitting .258 with one home run and 17 RBIs in 29 games prior to being optioned on May 13. In 72 games with Albuquerque this year he batted .276 (75-for-272) with 42 runs, 16 doubles, five triples, six home runs, 38 RBI.
Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez remains out of the starting lineup on Friday, dealing with a lingering ankle sprain. He had the go-ahead pinch hit on Thursday to snap a four-game losing streak, his first at-bat since Aug. 6. Shortstop Trevor Story is out for at least the remainder of the regular season after suffering a UCL tear in his left hand.
On the mound, Colorado is relatively healthy, but struggling of late. Colorado relievers have surrendered leads in the seventh-inning or later in four games over the past week.
Seeking answers in the bullpen, the Rockies selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Matt Carasiti and designated right-handed pitcher Gonzalez Germen for assignment.
Carasiti will be making his first stint with the Major League club. In 44 appearances with Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque this season, he is 0-2 with 31 saves, a 1.96 ERA (46.0 IP, 10 ER), nine walks and 48 strikeouts. The 2012 sixth-round draft pick was promoted to Triple-A July 25, where he pitched seven scoreless innings with two hits, two walks and five strikeouts in six appearances.
Carasiti was a Mid-Season All-Star with Hartford, going 0-2 with a league-leading 29 saves and a 2.31 ERA (39.0 IP, 10 ER) He was converted to a full-time reliever in 2014 after making 34 combined starts from 2012-13.
Germen was 2-1 with one save and a 5.31 ERA (40.2 IP, 24 ER) in 40 appearances for the Rockies in 2016. He ranked second among Rockies relievers with 40.2 innings pitched.
Colorado begins a three-game series in Philadelphia on Friday before returning home to face back-to-back division leaders Washington and Chicago Cubs next week.
The Rockies are 4.5 games back of Miami for the final Wild Card spot, with Pittsburgh, New York and St. Louis between them.
From July 15 – 30, Colorado rattled off 12 wins in 16 games. From July 31 through Aug. 11 they lost seven of 11 with five blown saves.