In a tough break for the struggling club, the Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that RHPs Jon Gray and Jordan Sheffield would both be headed to the 10-day IL before tonight’s game against the Oakland Athletics. Gray is listed as having a right flexor strain after leaving last night’s game in the 3rd inning with elbow and forearm discomfort, while Sheffield is listed with a right lat strain.
The Rockies announced today that they have recalled LHP Ben Bowden and LHP Lucas Gilbreath from Triple-A. RHP Jon Gray (right flexor strain) and RHP Jordan Sheffield (right lat strain) have each been placed on the 10-day IL.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) June 5, 2021
Gray strung together several strong starts before dropping off in the latter half of May, where he completed 6 or more full innings just once. In his previous start on May 29th against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he lasted just 3 innings. The exact time of his injury is unknown, and the Rockies await his MRI results to determine the severity of his injury. Sheffield has been one of the gems of a frustrating Rockies season. The rule 5 pick has an ERA of 3.26 and a WHIP of 0.98 through 19 appearances and 19 1⁄3 innings of work. He had a rough outing on June 3rd against the Texas Rangers where he gave up a walk and a home run. Skipper Bud Black said the injury occurred during that outing.
In a corresponding roster move, the Rockies have called up two lefties in rookies Ben Bowden and Lucas Gilbreath. Bowden just recently came off the IL himself with a left shoulder strain, while Gilbreath has been back and forth between the big league club and Albuquerque. Chi Chi González will take Gray’s spot in the rotation for the time being.