Colorado Rockies roster news: Tyler Anderson rejoins Rockies from DL

We have been discussing for a while now what was going to happen when the Colorado Rockies starting to have their injured starters return to the team. We received the first answer to that today … kind of.

Prior to Thursday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field, Tyler Anderson was listed on the Colorado lineup sheet. The 27-year-old left-hander was placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 3 with left knee inflammation. At the time, Anderson had posted a 3-5 mark with a 5.85 ERA in 11 starts.

To make room on the roster, Carlos Estevez was sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque. He was rocked for two runs and three hits in two innings during Wednesday’s 16-5 loss to Arizona.

More from Rox Pile

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton had played football instead?
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?

Anderson was available for emergency usage on Thursday out of the bullpen, Nick Groke of The Denver Post tweeted.

When he makes his return, Anderson will have to cut down on the amount of home runs he has surrendered. So far this season, Anderson has given up 13 homers in 60 innings. He allowed 12 homers in 114.1 innings during his rookie campaign last season.

He will also have to hit the strike zone with more consistency. Anderson has just eight fewer walks this season than he had all of last year.

The timing of Anderson’s return is interesting. The Rockies will head to Los Angeles to start a three-game series against the Dodgers on Friday night. Anderson’s availability will give the Rockies another left-handed starter to throw against the Dodgers, a team that has struggled in the past against southpaws.

Next: Gerardo Parra maintains key role for Colorado, even on DL

Kyle Freeland is slated to start the series opener in Los Angeles on Friday night, so Anderson could give the Rockies two southpaw starters in the series if manager Bud Black decides to shake up the rotation. As a note, right-hander Tyler Chatwood is tentatively slated for Saturday night and right-hander German Marquez is tentatively scheduled for Sunday.