Colorado Rockies Place Chatwood on DL, Recall Oberg

By Kevin Henry | Jun 19, 2016

Jun 18, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood (32) throws during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

When Tyler Chatwood of the Colorado Rockies left his start against the Miami Marlins after just 1.2 innings on Saturday, the thought was that he would soon be on the disabled list. That’s exactly what happened on Sunday morning.

Prior to the Rockies matinee matchup against the Marlins in south Florida, Chatwood was placed on the 15-day DL with a mid-back strain. Taking his place on the roster is Scott Oberg, who will once again make the trek from Triple-A Albuquerque to join the Rockies bullpen during their current road trip.

This will be Oberg’s second time around with the Rockies this season. He’s 0-0 with a 4.76 in eight appearances in 2016. In those eight games, he’s surrendered 12 hits, two home runs, and five walks while striking out six.

Chatwood heads to the DL with an 8-4 record with a 2.89 ERA in 13 starts with the Rockies this season. Despite yesterday’s short start in Miami, he’s been spectacular on the road, logging a 5-0 record with a Major League Baseball-leading 1.25 ERA (six earned runs in 43.1 innings). His eight wins lead the Rockies and are tied for seventh in the National League.

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So what does this mean for the Rockies? It’s certainly not good news. Chatwood has been incredible this season and a very steadying presence in the rotation. Oberg, meanwhile, has been a reliever that few Colorado fans have faith in when he enters the game.

Oberg has performed well in Triple-A, recording five saves in six opportunities with a 2.89 ERA (18.2 IP, 6 ER), seven walks and 21 strikeouts in 16 games. However, Oberg has yet to show consistency coming out of the Colorado bullpen. That has to change for the Colorado Rockies to do well and the Rockies to gain faith in him.

Chatwood heading to the disabled list likely means yet another trip into a starting role for Eddie Butler. Butler struggled in a relief role on Saturday, giving up six runs and nine hits in 3.1 innings. It ballooned his ERA to 11.48 in June and 6.26 on the season.

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With a rotation of Butler, Jorge De La Rosa, Jon Gray, Chad Bettis and Tyler Anderson, Colorado’s pitchers certainly take a step back with Chatwood’s injury. With Christian Bergman, Jake McGee, Chris Rusin and even Adam Ottavino all working their ways back from injury, Butler and Oberg will both be under pressure to perform in order to keep their spot with the Rockies.

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