The Rockies announced today that they have placed Jon Gray on the 10-IL (retroactive to September 2) with right-shoulder inflammation and called up right-handed pitcher José Mujica.
The Rockies announced today that they have placed RHP Jon Gray on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation (retroactive to Sept. 2) and have recalled RHP José Mujica from their alternate training site.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) September 4, 2020
Gray has struggled this season, most notably with a decrease in velocity. This year Gray is averaging 93.8 mph on his fastball whereas last year, he averaged 96. In 2020, Gray has pitched 39 innings. His most recent start was in the 23-5 drubbing the Rockies earned at the hands of the Giants on Tuesday. In that game, Gray gave up five earned runs in two innings. Through eight starts in 2020, Gray’s ERA is 6.69 with a 1.440 WHIP.
Mujica was most recently with the Rays and missed the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. In 2018, he earned a 3.75 ERA in 57 2⁄3 innings at three minor league levels, primarily at AAA Durham.
Mujica throws a fastball (93-94), curve, change up, and slider and has earned comparisons to Germán Márquez.
As Bud Black told Patrick Saunders in March:
“We’ve seen a live fastball with some sneakiness to it, he has a good feel for a changeup, and he has the slider, which we can help him with to get more consistent. . . . Plus, he’s got a nice presence and poise to him, and a head that we think works as a starter. We’re still getting to know him, but so far, so good.”
Mujica is from Valencia, Venezuela, a hometown he shares with Antonio Senzatela. (Senzatela is a year older.)
Purple Row will continue to follow this developing story.