CLEVELAND — Now Rockies starter German Marquez must play the waiting game.
The right-hander will undergo an MRI Thursday in Denver to determine the extent of his latest arm injury. Marquez departed Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Guardians here with two outs in the fourth inning, crouching on the mound in pain.
Marquez said after the game he felt pain in his right triceps after throwing a hard slider. That’s different from the injury that landed Marquez on the 15-day injured list after he departed an April 10 game against St. Louis with right forearm inflammation. Wednesday marked Marquez’s first start since that injury.
“It was sharp pain and that’s why I couldn’t keep going,” Marquez said.
Asked if he was afraid that the MRI might reveal a major injury, Marquez said, “Yeah, a little.”
While it seems likely that Marquez will have to return to the IL, Rockies manager Bud Black is hopeful that the right-hander will avoid a major injury.
“The Cleveland (team) doctor saw him and was encouraged,” Black said. “We’ll see. But it’s in a different spot, which is good, overall, from what the medical people have told me….But you never know.”
When asked if he thought the forearm inflammation and triceps pain were related, Marquez answered, “Maybe, but I don’t know.”
Marquez, 28, previously had tests done on his right arm and elbow and those tests showed no structural damage. In recent days, Marquez insisted that his arm felt good. He departed Wednesday’s game after throwing 58 pitches.
Colorado trailed the Guardians, 3-0, when Marquez left the game. He allowed three runs on six hits.
Marquez’s injury means that the club will need to find another starter. Tuesday night, Colorado designated struggling right-hander Jose Urena for assignment. Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, returning from left knee surgery, is close to returning. He pitched 3 1/3 innings for Triple-A Albuquerque at Round Rock, Texas on Tuesday and threw well, according to Black. Senzatela, who struck out four, walked two and threw 71 pitches (44 strikes), is scheduled to pitch for Albuquerque again on Sunday, increasing his pitch count to 75-90 pitches.
The upcoming schedule gives the Rockies a break. They are off on Thursday, Monday and again next Thursday, giving the club some flexibility.
Marquez entered Wednesday’s game 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA over his first three starts. Now his season has hit another roadblock.
“I don’t want to say I’m frustrated, I’m kind of sad, because I want to pitch,” he said. “I want to throw as many innings as I can. But I think I will be all right.”
Pitching matchup
The Rockies are off Thursday.
Pitching probables
Friday: Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-3, 3.42 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (0-0, 6.23) at Rockies RHP Noah Davis (0-0, 0.93), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-1, 5.33) at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (1-4, 9.28), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.
