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The Colorado Rockies rallied to beat the San Diego Padres in Cactus League action on Saturday, but the good guys didn't get away unscathed.
Right-handed reliever Jairo Diaz experienced elbow discomfort and likely starting outfielder Gerardo Parra left the game with a bruised heel, according to Nick Groke of The Denver Post. Parra likely won't miss any action, but Diaz -- who allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in just two-thirds of an inning -- will be reevaluated on Sunday, the team told Groke.
Diaz is a candidate to begin the season in an important bullpen role after a solid performance with the big league club last season. The 24-year-old Venezuelan, acquired by the Rockies from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Josh Rutledge late in 2014, posted a 2.37 ERA with 18 strikeouts and six walks in 19 innings spanning 21 appearances for Colorado in 2015.
Spring elbow injuries are almost never a good thing, but as noted in the recap, Diaz threw mostly sliders early on in his appearance. Perhaps a struggle to adjust to that was a factor, but it sounds like we'll find out more tomorrow either way.
UPDATE (12:25 p.m. MT, Sunday): The outlook for Diaz returning to action at any point in the near future is "not good," according to Groke, who adds that the righty's fastball velocity sunk to 86 (!!!) mph at one point on Saturday. Initial MRI results showed "something" near Diaz's elbow, reports Thomas Harding. Diaz will undergo further examination at some point today.