Colorado Rockies: Rusin Returns as Motte Heads to DL

On Wednesday prior to the Colorado Rockies finishing up a three-game series in Baltimore against the Orioles, the Rockies placed reliever Jason Motte on the 15-day disabled list and activated Chris Rusin from the disabled list.

Motte’s placement on the disabled list due to a right rotator cuff strain is retroactive to Tuesday, July 26. Motte pitched a scoreless inning in Monday night’s loss to Baltimore but has struggled mightily in recent games.

In two consecutive outings against the Atlanta Braves during Colorado’s last homestand, the veteran right-hander gave up a total of five hits and four runs while just getting two outs. It’s part of a July that has seen Motte post a 9.00 ERA in the month as he’s surrendered 13 hits and eight runs in eight innings pitched.

Take away a July 18 appearance against Tampa Bay when Motte arguably had his best outing of the season with three strikeouts and it’s been a struggle for Motte since giving up the game-winning homer in a road loss to the New York Yankees on June 22.

Motte’s ERA heading into that game was 1.80. It currently sits at 5.66.

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The 29-year-old Rusin was placed on the disabled list on June 14 with a strained left shoulder. In three rehab starts with Triple-A Albuquerque, the southpaw went 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA (allowing six earned runs in 9.1 innings) while walking three and striking out 11.

Rusin will now return to the Rockies, where he is 2-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 12 appearances (seven starts) this season. Rusin has bounced back and forth between starting and the bullpen this season, which has caused some to question what his true role with the Rockies might be and if the bouncing between roles might be keeping Rusin from reaching his full potential.

As a starter, Rusin is 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA with 15 walks and 28 strikeouts. As a reliever, he is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA with two walks and 11 strikeouts.

Our take

Nolan Lees wrote a great article about the Rusin situation and you can read it here. His point is simple: Colorado needs to figure out what to do with Rusin … and fast. For now, with Colorado’s starters rolling along in recent starts and it appears that Rusin will once again join the Rockies’ bullpen, giving Walt Weiss another left-handed option.

The question is … what is that option? Jordan Lyles seems to have taken over the bullpen’s long relief role so will he shift to a shorter role with Rusin sliding in there or will Rusin be more of a short reliever?

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Rusin’s bullpen ERA suggests he will strengthen the relieving corps as Motte heads to the DL. Other than that one night against Tampa Bay, Motte has simply not been able to be a force for the Rockies this season.

Rusin will be an upgrade over Motte, who doesn’t have a clear timeline for a return.