Colorado Rockies: Austin Gomber out for the season, Connor Joe to IL, other injury updates

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies announced a few injury updates before Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

First and foremost, in a surprising development, Rockies manager Bud Black told the media, including Rox Pile, that they were left-handed starting pitcher Austin Gomber was placed on the 10-day injured list with what was described as a “pars defect” in his back. A “pars defect” is also known as a stress fracture of the lower spine. As a result, he will be out for the rest of the season.

In his place, the Colorado Rockies will select the contract of right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner from Double-A Hartford. He will start in place of Gomber on Sunday.

Feltner, who turned 25 on Thursday, has split the season between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. In 20 starts on the season, Feltner has a record of 8-3 and an ERA of 2.62. He has struck out more than 10 batters per nine innings and walked 3.3 per nine innings.

Feltner was drafted by the Rockies in 2018 in the 4th round out of Ohio State University. Feltner is currently the Rockies #22 prospect, according to MLB.com.

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Additionally, the Colorado Rockies have placed Connor Joe on the 10-day IL.

The Colorado Rockies also announced that they will place first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain. The timetable for his return is unknown. In a corresponding move, the Rockies called up corner infielder/left fielder Joshua Fuentes from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Sheffield (lat strain) was also activated off the 60-day injured list today. He will take the 40-man spot of Gomber for now. When Feltner is added to the 40-man on Sunday, the Rockies will have to make another move.

Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland threw a bullpen session today for the Rockies (we will get further information on that as we receive it on how it went) and, additionally, starting pitcher Jon Gray (forearm tightness) will throw a bullpen as well.

We will update the site and/or this article with more information as we get it from Coors Field.

UPDATE: Gray faced live hitters in Sam Hilliard, Dom Nuñez, and Rio Ruiz, throwing from the mound at Coors Field. We are waiting to see any reports after the bullpen.