Tyler Chatwood to the DL, Rockies season now in complete nosedive

Time to put all the sharp objects away Colorado fans. Less than 24 hours after placing all star left fielder Carlos Gonzalez on the DL with a finger injury, the Rockies now have to add Tyler Chatwood to the MASH unit.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rockies&amp;src=hash">#Rockies</a> announce Tyler Chatwood. Going on DL with right elbow inflammation. Was supposed to start Thursdar.</p>&mdash; Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) <a href="https://twitter.com/psaundersdp/statuses/365289713021616130">August 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Chatwood threw on side and felt elbow pain.</p>&mdash; Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyRenck/statuses/365292693313683456">August 8, 2013</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The first sign of trouble came a week ago in Atlanta when Chatwood surrendered eight runs on ten hits in just 2.1 innings. Most just chalked it up to one terrible start in an otherwise outstanding season, but his fastball seemed to lack it's general electric movement and he had trouble keeping it down in the zone. Every pitcher is going to have a bad night, but as dominant as Chatwood had been all season, his inability to get seemingly anybody in the Braves lineup out was shocking.

Days later, it was announced that his scheduled start against the Mets on Tuesday was being pushed back to Thursday, and after today's side session went poorly, the Rockies announced they had to shut the young righty down.

This news marks yet another devastating blow to a fan base that has received almost universally bad news since the all star break for the better part of the last 27 months. Since May of 2011, almost everything that makes Rockies fans happy has found a way to turn to dust at one time or another. It's monumentally infuriating.

Chatwood had been a pleasure to watch this season, holding opponents to two runs or less in 12 of his 15 starts overall, and in 12 of his 13 starts against teams not named the Atlanta Braves. Sadly, the Rockies who have now tanked to a 1-8 record in their last nine games, will also be without Tyler's services for at least the next couple of trips around the rotation.

Jeff Francis is the most likely option to start tomorrow afternoon's game against the Mets. Jorge De La Rosa would be in line to start the game on normal rest after Monday's off day, but reports are that the Rockies already flew him to Denver to prepare for Friday's start against the Pirates. Francis is not stretched out however, so the Rockies may have to call up another bullpen arm soon as they are likely to get taxed tomorrow in front of a six game home stand that begins this weekend.