Austin Gomber is still figuring out who he is in purple pinstripes, aside from being known as the pitcher the Rockies traded Nolan Arenado for.
Four starts into 2023, in a quiet clubhouse after Gomber got shelled for nine runs in two innings in the Rockies’ eighth straight loss, Gomber admitted that being a centerpiece in the Arenado trade weighs on him more than he’d like.
“I’m kinda searching for (my own identity) right now,” Gomber said. “In the past, I tried not to worry about (being attached to Arenado), and I think I was better at that earlier on when I was here. But the longer I’ve been here (the harder it gets). Because when (the trade) first happened, I didn’t understand the magnitude of it here.
“So I’m trying to keep those thoughts out of my head and not trying to put pressure on myself when I don’t need to. I’m not trying to be (Arenado). I’m just trying to be myself, but I feel like I’m having a hard time staying in that lane right now.”
Gomber had no command Wednesday. Outside of Kyle Freeland, no one else in the starting rotation has been consistently effective, especially with opening day starter German Marquez on the injured list with right forearm inflammation.
That trend continued in the series finale against Pittsburgh as Gomber got ripped for five runs in the first inning, then four in the second before getting the hook with a 9-0 deficit. It was an implosion following two straight poor outings prior, where Gomber allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings to the Nationals on April 8 and then five runs in 3 2/3 to the Mariners on April 14.
Gomber is now a team-worst 0-4 with a 12.12 ERA following the seventh time in Rockies history a starter went two or fewer innings and gave up at least nine earned runs. Originally a fourth-round draft pick by the Cardinals, Gomber was one of five players traded to Colorado in February 2021 in exchange for Arenado and $51 million. Of those five players, Gomber was the only one with any major league experience.
But he hasn’t been able to live up to high expectations in LoDo, and he knows it. He said he’s not in the “right head space” to do that right now.
“It’s in-between my ears, is the biggest problem right now,” Gomber said. “I need to find a way to not let things snowball, to just trust myself. I’ve dealt with it a few times since I’ve been here. I’ve felt like I’ve put too much pressure on myself just trying to live up how I got here. I definitely feel like I’m in one of those spots right now. I’ve got to get back to feeling like I’m having fun again.”
Gomber said he’s leaned on fellow pitchers in the clubhouse, including Daniel Bard, to try to re-adjust his mindset in-between starts.
“I’m not even thinking about pitching right now while I’m out there, because there’s so much other stuff going on (in my mind),” Gomber said. “I’m trying to find a way to eliminate that noise.”
Gomber joins fellow struggling starters Jose Urena and Ryan Feltner as those who might soon have their jobs under review. Marquez is expected back soon, as is Antonio Senzatela (knee surgery), who is scheduled to start for Double-A Hartford on Sunday. Right-hander Noah Davis, who threw five scoreless innings in his first MLB start on Sunday while filling in for Marquez in Seattle, is also an option to stick around the rotation. Plus, Peter Lambert, recalled and then optioned back to Triple-A this week, could get an opportunity.
“We’ll have German back in there soon, and Senzatela at some point,” manager Bud Black said. “That will give us some reinforcements to go with the guys we have here now.”
