Colorado Rockies injury news: Kyle Freeland leaves game early

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland left Monday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field after appearing to injure himself running the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Here is the latest we know about a potential injury suffered by Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland.

Freeland reached base on a fielding error by Pirates pitcher Tyler Anderson (who pitched alongside Freeland as a member of the Rockies rotation from 2017-2019), then seemed to take an awkward step while running from first to third on a two-out double by Yonathan Daza. Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger and manager Bud Black came out to talk about the situation with Freeland and he was subsequently removed from the game, with fellow pitcher Jon Gray coming in as a pinch runner.

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The 28-year-old southpaw was in the middle of his second consecutive strong start, following a six-inning performance where he allowed just one run and five hits while striking out seven in a June 22 outing in Seattle. On Monday against the Pirates, Freeland had pitched five innings while allowing three hits and striking out seven. Freeland threw 79 pitches, with 55 going for strikes.

Tyler Kinley came on to start the sixth inning for the Rockies, with Colorado leading 2-0.

Colorado’s rotation has seen a number of injuries in recent weeks, with Jon Gray returning to action on Friday in Milwaukee. Austin Gomber, however, remains on the injured list with left forearm tightness and his return date is unclear.

Freeland missed the start of the 2021 season with a shoulder strain suffered during a spring training outing. He made his first start of the campaign on May 25 and has a 7.76 ERA in six starts, including Monday.

We will have more on the injury after the game when Black addresses the media. We will update the article below with any information.

UPDATE: Black said that he believed the injury was a cramp. While saying the Rockies are optimistic about it being just a cramp, he also said they will be monitoring the situation closely.

Freeland added that he did not feel a “pop or pull” and is optimistic he will make his next scheduled start. He said they are treating it as something light injury-wise.