Right-hander German Marquez’s long-term future in Colorado, and the struggling Rockies’ short-term forecast, became cloudier Tuesday.
Marquez, the team’s opening-day starter, said he will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2023 season. It’s quite possible that Marquez, 28, has thrown his last pitch for the Rockies.
“I kind of thought this was coming,” an emotional Marquez said Tuesday afternoon in the Rockies clubhouse. “I’ll get through this, but it’s tough.”
Marquez doesn’t yet know when he’ll have the operation.
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The Rockies’ starting rotation already lacked quality depth, so losing Marquez for the rest of the season is “a big hit,” as manager Bud Black put it.
Two new starters will join the rotation this week, with right-hander Connor Seabold scheduled to pitch Thursday afternoon’s game against Milwaukee at Coors Field, and right-hander Antonio Senzatela slated to start Friday against the Mets in New York. Colorado has been using Seabold as a long reliever, while Senzatela will make his 2023 debut after recovering from left knee surgery to repair the torn ACL he suffered last August.
Recovery time from Tommy John surgery and a return to big-league pitching typically takes 12-18 months. Marquez, however, is in the final year of his five-year, $43 million contract. Colorado holds a $16.5 million option on his contract for 2024. There is a $2.5 million buyout. So his baseball future is uncertain.
Marquez said he didn’t want to look that far ahead, but Black is hopeful that the right-hander, who was an All-Star in 2021, will remain with the Rockies.
“Sure, I hope so,” Black said. “I can’t speak for him, but I think he (wants to stay), too.”
Marquez, who was hoping for a bounce-back season from 2022 when he went 9-13 with a 4.95 ERA, had a strong spring training, and three of his four starts this season were solid, even though his ERA was 4.95. He has 983 career strikeouts, leaving him three short of passing lefty Jorge De La Rosa for the franchise record.
Marquez debuted in 2016 and has posted a 65-56 record and 4.41 ERA in 176 games (173 starts). His 65 wins rank third in franchise history behind De La Rosa (86) and Aaron Cook (72).
Black suspected the team was going to lose Marquez, but was holding out hope that the news would not be bad.
“But, instinctively, I kind of knew,” Black admitted. “German is disappointed, but now he knows what’s ahead of him. He’s disappointed, he’s bummed, but I think as far as perspective, he’s in a decent place.”
Marquez said he’s coming to terms with the news, adding that believes that now is the right time to repair his elbow.
“I could have done a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection but if I waited two months and tried to come back, I might be been hurt again,” Marquez said. “So I think this is the right time to take care of this.”
On Friday, Marquez was placed on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season. He initially landed on the IL because of right forearm inflammation. On Thursday, an MRI revealed inflammation in his right elbow and Marquez said that he anticipated being out for about six weeks, though he was fearful he would need Tommy John surgery.
Black believes Marquez has the passion and work ethic to come back strong.
“He’s got a lot of good career left,” Black said. “It’s going to be up to him, but I suspect that he’s going to go at this full-throttle. Not only is he going to rehab the elbow but there’s a component of staying in shape.”
Noah Davis update. Right-hander Noah Davis was placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday with right elbow inflammation. He said Tuesday that he was “encouraged” after meeting with team doctors and trainers on Monday.
“I agree,” Black said. “It’s going to take a little time. He’s going to rest for a couple of weeks. I don’t know exactly the timeline and when he’ll start playing catch and doing baseball activities, but they are encouraged by the tests and how his elbow area looked.”
“Senza” on Marquez. When Senzatela returned to the Rockies’ clubhouse Tuesday, the first news that he heard was that Marquez, his close friend, was going to have to undergo season-ending surgery.
“It’s tough to say anything,” Senzatela said. “I’ve been with him so many years, and I feel really bad. I get back and I get this news, so I feel really bad.
“But we know how tough German is. I know he’s strong mentally, so he’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Wednesday’s Pitching Matchup
Brewers LHP Eric Lauer (3-2, 5.19 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-3, 4.32), 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
With German Marquez’s season done because of an elbow injury that will require surgery, Freeland carries even more weight on his shoulders. He’s coming off his third consecutive loss, even though he made a quality start against Arizona, allowing three runs on five hits across six innings. Giving up home runs has been a problem for the lefty this season, as eight of the 16 earned runs he’s given up have come via the long ball. Freeland is 3-2 with a 2.32 ERA in five career starts against Milwaukee, including going 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his three starts at Coors Field.
Lauer skipped one day in the rotation in order to give his finger time to heal. The lefty tore the nail on his left middle finger during his start last Tuesday against the Tigers. Lauer took the 4-3 loss vs. the Tigers, giving up four runs on eight hits in just three innings. He’s struggled against Colorado, going 1-5 with an 8.39 ERA in 11 career starts. He’s 0-5 with a 15.91 ERA in six career starts at Coors Field.
Pitching probables
Thursday: Brewers LHP Wade Miley (3-1, 1.86) at Rockies RHP Connor Seabold, 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Friday: Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (2023 debut) at Mets RHP Kodai Senga (3-1, 4.15), 5:10 p.m., ATTRM
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