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Colorado Rockies: Manager Bud Black gives injury updates

ByBen Macaluso|
May 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Chad Qualls (50) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubsat Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Chad Qualls (50) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubsat Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies bullpen will get a little younger with Chad Qualls going on the disabled list with back spasms. The Rockies announced Sunday that Qualls will be placed on the 10-day DL and Carlos Estévez will be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. The Rockies will not lose a right-hander in this transaction.

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Qualls’ injury is retroactive from Friday, June 16. Manager Bud Black said the spasms were sudden and have not been a lingering issue.

He said that Qualls probably could have been available for the last game of the series against the San Francisco Giants. With the off day on Monday, Black said that Qualls potentially could be ready for the upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The club decided to take a safer approach.

"“Our bullpen has been taxed a little bit of late,” Black said. “We have a fresh arm in Carlos [Estévez] and Chad [Qualls] should be able to come off, and I think it will be good rest for him.”"

With Qualls out, this will be Estévez’s fourth stint on the Major League roster. This year Estévez has gone 3-0 with a 8.16 ERA. His Albuquerque ERA has been better at 2.92. The 24-year-old righty has changed his mechanics from last year by developing a longer leg kick that has helped him slow his delivery.

Black noticed that his young reliever threw harder in tough situations. He said he has seen Estévez come into this season a little bit more calm and under control this year.

"“I look at the long term with this fella as being a great Rockie,” Black said. “What he is doing with his back leg is different so he’s making great strides. Being here in the big leagues is going to help him. Even if he goes back, he just has to continue to pitch. He’s young. I think he is in a good spot. I really do.”"

Chad Bettis

Chad Bettis threw full distance 60′ 6″ on Father’s Day. Black was there to see the 15-20 pitches Bettis threw. He commented how Bettis’ delivery looked good along with his arm action. Bettis then did post-pen work with the strength and conditioning coaches. He also threw long toss.

Next: Relive the first day of Colorado's 2017 draft

Gerardo Parra

Parra did limited sprinting for the first time since he went on the disabled list with a strained quadricep. Black noted that he has also done some work on the treadmill and in the pool. Parra is making progress but there is no timetable yet for his return.

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