Colorado Rockies injury updates: Chad Bettis and Bryan Shaw

On Monday afternoon before the Colorado Rockies hosted the San Francisco Giants in the first game of a three-game series at Coors Field, Rockies manager Bud Black gave an update on injured relief pitcher Bryan Shaw and starter Chad Bettis, who is battling a “hot spot” on the middle finger of his throwing hand.

Shaw was placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 24 with a right calf strain. The move came at a time when the 30-year-old right-hander was struggling mightily. In his last 15 outings prior to going on the disabled list, Shaw had posted a 12.83 ERA and had walked as many batters (eight) as he had struck out.

On the season, Shaw has a 7.57 ERA in 41 games covering 35.2 innings. The 41 games are tied for the most in the National League heading into Monday’s action.

More from Colorado Rockies News

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: 3 things we appreciated from Tuesday in San Francisco
• What Bill Schmidt’s comments mean for the Colorado Rockies in 2023

Shaw first threw a bullpen while the Rockies were visiting San Francisco last week. Video equipment was employed, reportedly including some of the equipment used by Adam Ottavino in the offseason to help turn him into one of the league’s most dominant relievers.

On Monday, Shaw took another step by throwing a bullpen session at Coors Field.

"“Bryan threw the ball well. He’s going to throw Wednesday out here on the field. If everything goes well, we’re going to send him out on a rehab assignment,” Black said."

Bettis, meanwhile, talked to Rox Pile and other media members inside the Rockies clubhouse on Monday afternoon with his finger covered. Bettis lasted just three innings on Sunday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers before succumbing to the “hot spot.”

The 29-year-old right-hander told reporters on Monday that he was frustrated about the injury and did not put a timeline on his return, meaning his next scheduled start (which would be Friday in Seattle against the Mariners) is in jeopardy. That’s a point reinforced by Black in the dugout a short time later.

Next: Looking at the first-half numbers for the 2017 Rockies compared to 2018

"“We’re concerned for sure. It’s been off and on I would say for the last seven weeks. This time in Los Angeles, it really bothered him. It was painful and that’s why he was removed. We’re concerned about it for sure,” Black said."