Colorado Rockies injury news: Tyler Kinley likely done for 2022

The injury news surrounding Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley could well be the worst-case scenario for the Rockies for the remainder of the 2022 season.

In a gut punch for their bullpen, the Colorado Rockies will likely be without one of the best relievers in Tyler Kinley for the rest of the 2022 season.

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black told the media before Wednesday’s home game against the Cleveland Guardians that imaging undergone by Kinley had revealed a right elbow sprain and a flexor tear. Kinley will be undergoing a procedure soon, according to Black, that will reveal the amount of damage and next steps for the Rockies reliever. However, Black added, “It looks like it’s probably going to cost him the rest of the season. Again, that answer will probably be clear when he has the procedure, but I’m thinking that this is probably going to cost him the season.”

Black would not rule out the possibility that Kinley might also need Tommy John surgery. However, that question will be answered following the procedure.

Kinley landed on the injured list on June 12 (retroactive to June 9) after posting a career-best 0.75 ERA/1.76 FIP/1.125 WHIP in 24.0 innings covering 25 games. He has allowed one earned run in his last 15.1 innings.

“I think he was potentially on that track,” Black answered whether he thought Kinley could have potentially represented the Rockies in the All-Star Game this July.

Black said that he believes the elbow injury did not happen with one particular pitch or in one particular game. However, he believes the wear built up over time and finally came to a head when the Rockies were in San Diego this weekend and Kinley was unable to shake the soreness he was feeling, leading to a talk with the Rockies medical team.

Kinley did deal with elbow soreness last season, but Black said this is a complete separate matter and unrelated.

This is Kinley’s third season with the Rockies after being claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins following the 2019 season. He has pitched in 119 games with the Rockies since coming on board, including 70 last season.

With Kinley unavailable in the Rockies bullpen, Alex Colomé will likely see his time increased in innings moving forward where Kinley would have pitched.