Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland was removed from his start Friday night at Coors Field after just two batters faced. After allowing a single to Phillies’ second baseman Cesar Hernandez and striking out Freddy Galvis, Freeland seemed to tweak something in his leg or groin area while pitching to Aaron Altherr. He briefly walked around the mound before manager Bud Black and the training staff came out to check on him. He threw a couple of practice pitches before ultimately being pulled from the game. Chris Rusin came on in relief.
Freeland is having an excellent rookie campaign for the Rockies, posting a record of 11-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 1211⁄3 innings pitched. He has just a 5.64 K/9 and 3.26 BB/9 but has been helped by a 55.6% ground ball rate, fifth highest among qualified starters. In his last start, July 30 against Washington, he went five innings while allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits and four strikeouts with no walks. He earned the win in the 10-6 Rockies victory.
We’ll have more on this story as it develops.