The tools are there: a 95 mph fastball to set up a solid changeup, a slider and the occasional curveball. The next step for Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner is getting the most out of those tools.
He gets his next shot on Sunday afternoon when he’s scheduled to start against the Nationals at Coors Field.
“For Ryan, he has to take those segments of games when he pitches well, and those good at-bats, and stack them on top of each other, and not have that variability,” manager Bud Black said Saturday. “He needs to build on things — build on it in games. Not just one game, but in games.”
Feltner’s first start of the season at Los Angeles was marred by the inconsistency that plagued him last year as a rookie when finished 4-9 with a 6.03 ERA in 19 starts. Against the Dodgers, Feltner was charged with five runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out seven but it was the five walks and the high pitch count (91 pitches, 53 strikes) that most concerned Black.
“In terms of my last outing, I was happy with it,” Feltner said. “I think the only thing that I could improve on was my efficiency and going deeper into the game. There were a lot of things I couldn’t control, but I’m trying to be a good self-evaluator and take steps to improve.”
Feltner’s No. 1 goal during spring training was to continue developing his changeup.
“Growing up, that was always my best pitch, and my usage of it has gone up,” he said. “I plan to keep it that way. When the changeup is in the zone, that’s one of my better pitches.”
Feltner is concentrating on throwing the changeup every day, simply when he’s playing catch, in order to maintain the feel that’s required for what can be a finicky pitch.
“You have to practice the changeup because you are holding the ball in such an unorthodox fashion,” Black said. “You have to be able to have a feel for the ball and be able to throw it 60 feet, 6 inches, over the plate, and down. It’s not an easy thing to do.”
Bard update. Closer Daniel Bard, on the 10-day injured list as he deals with anxiety, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. There is no timetable for his return to the bullpen.
Footnotes. First baseman C.J. Cron was a late scratch for Saturday night’s game because of what the club called “flu-like symptoms.” … Second baseman Brendan Rodgers, on the 60-day disabled list as he recovers from left shoulder surgery, will receive his 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove in a pregame ceremony before Sunday’s game. Rodgers’ 22 defensive runs saved led all second baseman and ranked second among all major leaguers last season.
Pitching Matchup
Nationals RHP Chad Kuhl (0-0, 7.20 ERA) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-1, 9.64)
1:10 p.m. Sunday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Feltner’s stuff was solid in his first start of the season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles — he fanned seven — but he was plagued by inconsistency and things fell apart in the fifth inning. He allowed five runs over 4 2/3 innings and was hurt by five walks. He made 20 appearances (19 starts) last season, going 4-9 with a 6.03 ERA. He’ll be facing the Nationals for the first time.
Kuhl, part of the Rockies’ rotation last season, returns to Colorado hoping to improve upon his first start for the Nationals. The right-hander didn’t factor into the decision in Washington’s 10-6 loss to the Rays on Tuesday, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four. He needed 81 pitches (51 strikes) to get through his outing, but he exited the game with Washington holding a 5-4 lead.
Pitching probables
• Monday: Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (0-1, 6.75) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (1-1, 4.76), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
• Tuesday: Cardinals RHP Mile Mikolas (0-1, 9.64) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-0, 0.00), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
• Wednesday: Cardinals RHP Jack Flaherty (1-1, 1.80) at Rockies RHP Jose Urena (0-2, 14.40), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
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