Rockies right-hander Jon Gray is inching closer to a return. The 25-year-old threw between 50 and 60 pitches of live batting practice to Pat Valaika and Raimel Tapia on Tuesday ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Indians.
Mile High Sports Rockies reporter Aniello Piro was on-hand for the throwing session and brief Q&A with Gray afterwards.
Jon Gray throwing live BP. He has not pitched since April 13th due to a a stress fracture in his left foot. Great sign for the #Rockies pic.twitter.com/97cd6Ivtgg
— Aniello Piro (@MediaByAP) June 6, 2017
Gray threw from the windup and the stretch.
Gray from the stretch. He looks fairly comfortable on the mound. There is still a ways to go, but a step forward for the #Rockies pic.twitter.com/m4T0eQgRlk
— Aniello Piro (@MediaByAP) June 6, 2017
He also made some plays in the field to test his mobility.
Gray fielding at first for the #Rockies. Everything looks smooth from what I have seen pic.twitter.com/h5OAOf2dvI
— Aniello Piro (@MediaByAP) June 6, 2017
Following the throwing session, Gray said he did feel a little shaky, but things improved as the session went on.
Gray said he felt a little shaky on the mound at first, but things came along as the session progressed. He threw 50-60 pitches #Rockies pic.twitter.com/AvV1ieNGHm
— Aniello Piro (@MediaByAP) June 6, 2017
Gray is recovering from a stress fracture in his left (plant) foot that has kept him out of the Rockies rotation since April 13. He did not record a decision in three starts in April. He pitched 12.1 innings with an ERA of 4.38.
Piro believes a 2-3 week timetable for return seems realistic for Gray’s return to the rotation.