Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner, who sustained a skull fracture and concussion Saturday night when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of the Phillies’ Nick Castellanos, remains home and is resting comfortably, manager Bud Black said Tuesday.
“I think he will come back (to the clubhouse) on Monday,” Black said before the Rockies hosted Cincinnati at Coors Field. “It’s probably best that as he continues his recovery he just takes it easy. His folks are here. Overall, he’s doing well.”
The ball came off Castellano’s bat at 92.7 mph and Feltner crumpled to the ground when the ball struck his head. He was taken to the hospital Saturday and spent the night there under observation. Feltner was able to text with Black and his teammates on Saturday night, which eased some of the concern, Black said.
Feltner’s skull fracture did not require surgery, but there is no timetable for his return to the team or when he will begin throwing again.
Injury updates. Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, who’s on the 15-day injured list with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain, is likely out of action until mid-July. Black said Tuesday that Senzatela is likely to have a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to aid the healing process. … Right-hander Noah Davis, on the IL with right elbow inflammation, has started a throwing program but has yet to throw a bullpen.
Nuggets fever. Black predicted Tuesday that the Nuggets will not only beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals but go on to win the NBA championship.
Black even got specific with his prediction about Tuesday night’s Game 1 between the Nuggets and Lakers.
“I think tonight will be highly contested,” he said. “It’s going to be a good game. I’m calling overtime but I have the Nuggets prevailing. I’ve got ‘The Joker’ (Nikola Jokic) with a big night and (Jamal) Murray scoring 25-plus.”
Wednesday’s pitching matchup
Reds RHP Graham Ashcraft (2-1, 3.95 ERA) at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (3-4, 6.30)
1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Gomber is coming off a frustrating outing against Philadelphia at Coors Field. He dominated the Phillies early, retiring the first 14 hitters he faced but the Phillies figured him out later in the game. Over 6 2/3 innings, the lefty allowed three runs on five hits, including two home runs. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out six. Since allowing nine runs in two innings on April 19 vs. the Pirates at Coors Field, Gomber has gone 3-0 with a 2.28 ERA, with 16 strikeouts vs. seven walks. The former Cardinal has made two starts and four relief appearances vs. Cincy, going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA.
Ashcraft will make his first career appearance vs. Colorado and he’s never faced any of its hitters. He’s the first Reds pitcher to begin a season without allowing more than two earned runs in any of his first six starts since Luis Castillo began the 2019 season allowing two earned runs or fewer in each of his first seven starts. But in a 17-4 loss to the White Sox on May 7, Ashcraft gave up a career-high eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings.
Pitching probables
Thursday: Off
Friday: Rockies TBA at Rangers LHP Martin Perez (4-1, 4.25), 6:05 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-4, 3.16) at Rangers RHP Jon Gray (3-1, 3.15), 2:05 p.m., ATTRM
Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.
