Update: 3/22, 11:45 a.m. MT
Thomas Harding has confirmed that Rayan Gonzalez will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair ligament damage in his pitching elbow. The surgery recovery means Gonzalez is out for the 2017 season. He is on the Rockies 40-man roster, which means the Rockies could move him to the 60-day disabled list if they need to open up a roster spot.
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Update: 3/17, 3:30 p.m. MT
Rayan Gonzalez is expected to have surgery to repair ligament damage in his pitching elbow, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reported. In other words, the promising right-hander will have Tommy John surgery and will now miss the entire 2017 season.
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The Colorado Rockies removed Rayan Gonzalez from a spring training game at Salt River Fields today due to an apparent injury. Nick Groke from the Denver Post tweeted that Gonzalez was pointing to his forearm and was trying to make a fist before heading to the clubhouse.
Gonzalez was pitching in relief in the 8th inning and has recorded one strikeout before giving up two hits. After the second hit, Rockies trainer Keith Dugger came out from the dugout and removed Gonzalez from the game after a very short conversation.
Until a diagnosis is made, the severity of the injury is pure speculation. But the way Groke described the injury, especially the emphasis on the forearm, often points to damaged UCLs and Tommy John surgery—that’s worst case scenario, to be sure. We’re hoping that it’s a simple strain instead.
The Rockies added Gonzalez to the 40-man this offseason, and if healthy, he should be in line to contribute to the bullpen this season. We’ll update you as more information is released.