Eddie Butler Leaves Game With Right Shoulder ‘Fatigue’

Jun 6, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss (22) pulls starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler left Monday afternoon’s game against the Oakland Athletics with right shoulder “fatigue” according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post.

Butler had allowed two hits, two walks, and one run in one inning of work before departing to be re-evaluated.

It’s not the worst case scenario, right? Tell me it’s not the worst case scenario, or a harbinger of things to come for the Rockies this summer… Hold me…

Assuming they’ll be cautious with Butler even if it’s the most minor kind of fatigue imaginable, it would stand to reason Chad Bettis might be back in the rotation to start the year, especially after the absence of Jorge De La Rosa and David Hale to start the season.

Bettis has been throwing well and should return at some point anyways, so maybe we’ll be in relatively capable hands with him.

It may also be worth it to start checking the waiver wire or inquiring into possible trades, if you’re general manager Jeff Bridich. We’ve written about Mike Pelfrey’s availability, and I know, he’s not the sexiest pick at this point, but it looks like the Rockies just need some warm bodies to open the season.

Nevertheless, Butler and De La Rosa are guys you’d really rather not lose for any amount of time, regardless of who’s going to replace them or what you might be able to come up with to bridge the gap until they return.

Maybe this fatigue is nothing and will be forgotten tomorrow, but either way, yuck.