Colorado Rockies injury updates: Ben Bowden and Carlos Estévez

On Wednesday morning, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black provided an update on two of his relief pitchers who are currently on the 10-day injured list.

Here is the latest information on Colorado Rockies relievers Ben Bowden and Carlos Estévez.

Let’s look first at the pitcher who is the closest to returning to the Colorado Rockies bullpen and that’s Estévez. On May 3, the 28-year-old right-hander was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right middle finger strain. Now, Estévez, who has a 3.60 ERA in 10 games (10 innings pitched) seems to be on the cusp of his return.

Estévez participated in a simulated game in San Diego on Tuesday, throwing 20 pitches and facing Connor Joe, Alan Trejo, and Chris Rabago. Black said that the ball was “coming out great” from Estévez and proclaimed the finger healed.

“He’s very confident about his arm and upcoming activation,” Black said.

Estévez will now head to Albuquerque where he will throw one inning on Thursday for the Triple-A Isotopes. He will come in in relief of Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, who is scheduled to begin the game for Albuquerque as he works his way back from a shoulder strain suffered in spring training.

If all goes well in Albuquerque, Estévez will likely join the Rockies in Denver this weekend for a series against Arizona.

The Rockies received some good news on Bowden as scans on his left shoulder came back with a positive note. Black said the shoulder “looks good” and the 26-year-old southpaw will begin throwing again soon.

“It’s just a matter of time before Ben gets back to the mound to resume throwing,” Black said. “I’m not sure of the exact dates he will get back on the mound, but he’ll start playing catch and some sort of long-toss. Then Keith (Dugger, head trainer) and the medical team will decide, along with Ben, when he jumps back on the mound.”

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Black estimated that process could begin as soon as Friday, when the Rockies open their series against the Diamondbacks.

I asked Black if there was any comparison between Bowden’s shoulder strain and the one suffered by Freeland that has kept him from making his Rockies season debut.

“No,” Black said. “Kyle had a small strain and tear in the rotator cuff. Ben’s imaging showed a pretty clean shoulder.”

In his rookie season, Bowden has a 6.39 ERA in 15 games (12.2 innings pitched).