Rafael Betancourt Placed On Disabled List; Mitchell Boggs Called Up

Rafael Betancourt was placed on the disabled list Saturday afternoon. Image: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Back in April, Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller asked the following question on their daily podcast for Baseball Prospectus:

Should Major League Baseball players have prophylactic appendectomies?

It does seem to be something of a trend that teams lose significant players for stints during the regular season due to appendicitis. I’m not saying that this proves that players should have prophylactic appendectomies, but it seemed worth mentioning since an already ailing Rockies bullpen will now be without one of its key pieces.

Since returning from the disabled list at the end of June, Betancourt has been solid. He has made six appearances, allowing two runs and converting four straight saves on the team’s crucial west coast swing before the All-Star break. For the year he is 15 for 16 in save opportunities with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. And it is all about saves, after all.

Rex Brothers will shift back to the closer’s role and the recently acquired Boggs will have his first chance to prove himself to his new team.

This means that, conceivably, the Rockies will turn to either Boggs or Wilton Lopez in a key late game situation.

Buckle up.