Colorado Rockies injury news: Jon Gray scheduled for another rehab start

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray will make at least one more rehab start for Triple-A Albuquerque before returning to the Rockies rotation, according to Colorado manager Bud Black.

Talking to the media before the Rockies began a pivotal three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field, Black said that Gray needs to build up a higher pitch count before rejoining the team.

In his second rehab start, Gray threw on Monday for Albuquerque in an 11-6 loss at Sacramento. The 25-year-old right-hander surrendered five hits and one earned run in 4.1 innings of action. He struck out seven.

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Gray’s next action is scheduled to happen on Saturday when the Isotopes take on El Paso in Albuquerque.

"“Jon last pitched April 13 and he’s basically thrown eight and a third innings since then,” Black said, referencing Gray’s rehab starts for Class A Lancaster and Albuquerque. “That’s eight and a third competitive innings in over two months. It just makes sense for Jon to pitch and to really not have limits. Let’s get Jon in the sixth inning. Let’s get Jon in the seventh inning. He just hasn’t pitched enough.”"

Black said the next rehab start isn’t because anything is wrong with the left foot that suffered a stress fracture in a game against the San Francisco Giants on April 13. It’s about getting more pitches and game experience for Gray as he nears a return to the Majors.

"“His arm and his foot is fine,” Black said. “He’s pitched eight and a third innings in two months. Let’s get him going a little bit more. Jon wants to get out there and feel like he’s really ready.”"

With Colorado’s rotation humming along behind solid pitching from their rookies and contributions from pitchers who saw time on the mound for Colorado in 2016, Black knows there’s no need for Gray to return to the rotation until he’s truly ready.

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"“Realistically, if we really needed him, we’d pitch him. But this is more about what Jon needs than what we need,” Black said."