Colorado Rockies injury update: Tyler Anderson “feeling much better”

Tyler Anderson is taking steps to rejoin the Colorado Rockies rotation but manager Bud Black says there is no timeline on that happening. There’s also no guarantee that Anderson would just be starting the next time we see him take the mound at Coors Field.

With the regular season winding down on Sunday and the Colorado Rockies chasing the postseason and their first-ever National League West title, Anderson was scratched from Monday night’s start against the Philadelphia Phillies because of shoulder soreness. Jon Gray stepped in and delivered a solid performance then, on Tuesday night, a bullpen game led by Chad Bettis pushed the Rockies to the win and past the St. Louis Cardinals for the second Wild Card slot.

Will he be back this season? That’s the question on many minds with just five regular-season games left, including Wednesday night’s tilt against the Phillies.

Prior to Black’s media session on Wednesday inside the Rockies dugout, Anderson played catch on the field from numerous distances. Black said that there were no setbacks from Anderson testing out his shoulder.

"“Tyler’s doing better. Feeling much better,” Black told Rox Pile and other media members. “Played an aggressive game of catch today. Lengthened it out. Got some distance between he and his catch partner and came out of it OK. We’re encouraged by where Tyler is.”"

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Black followed that up by saying there was no timeline for Anderson’s return and that he could come out of the bullpen this weekend rather than make a start.

"“He can pop out there and get an inning or two,” Black said."

Anderson has a 6-9 mark this season and 4.76 ERA. Over his last seven games, he is 0-5 with an 8.33 ERA. However, that includes an August 26 home start against St. Louis where he lasted just two-thirds of an inning and surrendered six runs.

In his last two outings, he has given up four runs and 10 hits over 12 innings while striking out 10 and walking just two.

Right now, Kyle Freeland would start Friday’s series opener against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field and Gray would likely slot into the Saturday start. Anderson’s health could dictate if he draws the start on Sunday. Also, Colorado’s place in the Wild Card and/or NL West standings could determine that as well.