Colorado Rockies injury news: Carlos Estevez likely game-time decision

Colorado Rockies closer Carlos Estevez could be available on Monday night as the Rockies open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. However, manager Bud Black cautioned that that decision might likely happen closer to game time or as the game progressed.

Here is the latest on Colorado Rockies closer Carlos Estevez

Estevez has not pitched since giving up three hits and a run in the ninth inning of what would be a 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In that frame, Corey Seager hit a ball back up the middle that ricocheted off the leg of Estevez and turned into a single. You can see in the video below that Estevez immediately hobbles after being hit.

“He’s going to get a little more treatment and therapy and see if he will be ready by 9 or 9:30,” Black said, referring to the time of the game (Mountain time) when Estevez would likely need to be available.

Estevez told Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette on Sunday that his leg was still sore, and he did not see action in the game later that afternoon against the San Francisco Giants. Former closer Daniel Bard entered the game for the Rockies in the ninth with a 2-2 tie, but the Giants would score four runs off him and fellow reliever Tyler Kinley to take a 6-2 win and finish off the second three-game sweep of the Rockies at Coors Field in September.

When asked about his leg as he walked off the field after Monday warmups, Estevez told Rox Pile that his leg felt “better.” But is it healed enough to see action in the opener against Washington? We likely won’t know that until the situation presents itself later in the game.

Estevez is 3-4 this season with a 4.34 ERA and 1.483 WHIP. The 28-year-old right-hander’s nine saves is second on the team behind Bard’s 20.

In 11 August appearances covering 11 innings, Estevez allowed 11 hits and no runs. When the calendar turned to September, however, the ERA has skyrocketed to 5.91 in 10.2 innings. Opponents were hitting .262 against him in August, but that number jumped to .370 in September.