Colorado Rockies: Mike Dunn frustrated as he heads back to the DL

SEATTLE – Colorado Rockies reliever Mike Dunn stood in front of his locker in the recesses of Safeco Field and you could sense the frustration levels rise within him as he had to talk about yet another injury.

The veteran southpaw is heading to the disabled list for the second time this season (and third in his Rockies career). This time, it’s an AC joint sprain (officially acromioclavicular joint inflammation) in his throwing shoulder that will send him to the sideline. All indications are that this will not be a short-term absence either. An MRI will be performed when the Rockies return home to begin a six-game homestand before the All-Star break. That kicks off on Tuesday against the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dunn was placed on the disabled list on June 8 with a left rhomboid (muscle in the upper back) strain. He was activated on June 27 and pitched twice in July, allowing two hits and one run in a combined one inning of work.

More from Colorado Rockies News

The 33-year-old Dunn said he had been dealing with the AC joint issue for “a while” and had already had one cortisone shot to try to ease the pain. Dunn told Rox Pile and other reporters that the shoulder had locked up on him after his last outing on July 3 and that he tried to pitch a bullpen session on Friday in Seattle and couldn’t get through the effort.

"“This has nothing to do with my back,” Dunn said. “I’ve thrown through a lot of soreness and discomfort. It’s different. It’s pain.”"

Dunn made it clear that the injuries adding on to a season that has seen him post a 9.00 ERA is skyrocketing his frustration level.

"“Off the charts,” Dunn said when asked about the level of his frustration. “I want to pitch. I want to help these guys out. It’s like every time something flares up, we get it under control and then it’s something else. We need to get it figured out. We need to get it fixed so when I do come back, it’s done. I can just go. My mind can be free and I can throw with no pain.”"

So what’s next?

"“We’re just going to shut it down and wait until we get some answers,” Dunn said, referring to the upcoming MRI."

Next: What do Rockies players and coaches really think about the wave?

Colorado called up Jerry Vasto to take Dunn’s place in the bullpen. The 26-year-old left-hander was rocked for three runs in two-thirds of an inning in his only Major League appearance, earlier this season against Arizona.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

SEATTLE – Colorado Rockies reliever Mike Dunn stood in front of his locker in the recesses of Safeco Field and you could sense the frustration levels rise within him as he had to talk about yet another injury.

Schedule