The Rockies Had an Awful Week - FanGraphs
Travis Sawchick at FanGraphs chronicles was was an ugly week for the Rockies in terms of health. The club announced Monday that first baseman Ian Desmond would undergo surgery on his broken right hand and miss 6-8 weeks, counting him out for at least the first month or so of the season.
Couple the Desmond news with the much more serious matter of Chad Bettis’ cancer having spread, making him out indefinitely as he undergoes chemotherapy, and the Rockies’ playoff chances have had a dent put in them. But hey, at least Nolan Arenado homered in the World Baseball Classic.
The Rockies will survive the loss of Ian Desmond - FanRag Sports
Nick Stephens, also of Purple Row, writes for FanRag Sports that the Rockies will be able to survive the loss of Desmond and assesses the replacements for him at first base, focusing on a possible platoon of Mark Reynolds and Jordan Patterson.
Chris Rusin up against the clock to make Rockies’ rotation. But will Jon Gray open? - The Denver Post
Another injured Rockie is left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin, who has missed time with an oblique strain. Nick Groke writes in The Denver Post that the injury and lack of reps in Spring Training will likely rule Rusin out as an option in the rotation, at least to start the season. Rockies manager Bud Black did leave open the possibility of Rusin starting the season in the bullpen, a role he thrived in last season.
Effectively Wild Episode 1031: Season Preview Series: Mariners and Rockies - FanGraphs
The Effectively Wild podcast at FanGraphs has reached the Rockies in its season preview series. Former Purple Row writer Jen Mac Ramos joined Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan to talk about what 2017 might hold for Colorado’s team.
Senzatela becoming legit rotation candidate - rockies.com
One positive for the Rockies on Monday was the performance on the mound of right-hander Antonio Senzatela. The 22-year-old pitched 4 1⁄3 shutout innings against the Royals, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out four in a 4-2 Rockies loss that also saw DJ LeMahieu hit his first home run of the spring.
Thomas Harding wrote after the game that, despite having made just seven starts above A ball, Senzatela is putting himself on the Rockies’ radar for a rotation spot this spring. In four Cactus League outings, Senzatela has posted a 2.38 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 11 1⁄3 innings, striking out 10.