Injuries & Moves: Jones (back) 'frustrated' by latest early exit
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April 28: OF Nolan Jones (back stiffness) removed from Mexico City finale
Jones' frustrations this season, on the heels of finishing fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, continued when he left Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Astros in the top of the seventh. Jones, who had left Tuesday's game against the Padres, returned to the lineup on Saturday for the Mexico City Series opener, but couldn't finish the finale.
"We're going to discuss it here over the next 48 hours whether this is an injured-list situation or whether we can wait a couple of days and see if he feels better," manger Bud Black said. "But I don't like the fact that it's happened a couple times now in the last week that we've had to remove him from games."
Jones not long ago endured an 0-for-26 slump -- a key factor in his current .170 batting average. In the two games against the Astros in Mexico City, he showed signs of rebounding -- going 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles, including 1-for-2 with a double on Sunday.
"Just frustrated -- I don't know what else I can do," Jones said. "We've been putting in a lot of work over the past five days to get it right and I felt really good yesterday. Today, I'm back to square one. There's a little success showing, and I feel more comfortable, more confident. I felt I could start building on some small wins. It's obviously a setback."
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Lucas Gilbreath (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD
Gilbreath felt discomfort in his left shoulder while throwing 18 pitches (nine strikes) in his first rehab game for Triple-A Albuquerque on April 23, the first game he's pitched in since Aug. 26, 2022. Manager Bud Black said Gilbreath is still in Denver under the care of the Rockies' rehab staff.
Black noted that there are no problems with the elbow, on which Tommy John surgery was performed in March 2023. The plan is to let the shoulder pain and inflammation subside. Originally, the Rockies hoped Gilbreath would return before the end of April, but that's not possible. (Last updated: April 27)
1B Kris Bryant (low back strain)
Expected return: TBD
Manager Bud Black said Bryant is hoping to soon resume baseball activities, but there is no timetable. Bryant has been checked by doctors, according to Black, and the injury has not been deemed extensive enough for surgery.
Bryant, hitting .149 with one homer through 13 games this year, has missed considerable time since signing a seven-year contract before the 2022 season. (Last updated: April 27)
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LHP Kyle Freeland (left elbow strain)
Expected return: Possibly late May
Manager Bud Black said Freeland's arm is responding to treatments, and he hopes to soon resume throwing. Freeland said his injury occurred during his April 14 start in Toronto. (Last updated: April 27)
60-day IL
RHP Daniel Bard (right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Bard, who tore the meniscus in his left knee while playing catch prior to Spring Training and underwent surgery, had a setback rehabbing and will undergo season-ending surgery on his right arm on May 1. The Rockies placed him on the 60-day IL to add LHP Ty Blach to the active roster.
Bard, 38, is in the final year of a two-year, $19 million contract. Bard has said he would like to return after a year of rehab, but he will see how he feels and consult his family before committing to pitching again. Read more>> (Last updated: April 21)
RHP Germán Márquez (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Around midseason
Manager Bud Black said Márquez's rehab is going as planned. He has remained on schedule with facing hitters at extended spring training, and there have been no setbacks. (Last updated: April 20)
RHP Antonio Senzatela (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD
Senzatela was placed on the 60-day IL on Feb. 28, and his status for the season is unclear following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last July. (Last updated: Feb. 28)