Rockies finally get good pitching news

This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding’s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Courtney Hollmon contributed to this report.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Rockies’ trip to Dodger Stadium has yielded much-needed encouraging pitching news.

In the Rockies’ 5-3 loss on Monday night, right-hander Tanner Gordon held the Dodgers to one run and six hits in five innings, with three strikeouts against one walk. Also, righty Ryan Feltner rejoined the team after missing five weeks with right ulnar nerve inflammation.

Those developments came with the Rockies’ rotation reeling from the losses of righty Chase Dollander and lefty Jose Quintana to elbow injuries. Dollander has been shut down since leaving his May 14 start at Pittsburgh with a right elbow sprain. Quintana exited a start Sunday at Arizona, and was scheduled for an MRI on his left elbow on Tuesday. With righty Michael Lorenzen and lefty Kyle Freeland struggling, the rotation has been in a spiral.

Monday marked the first start of the season for Gordon, who last year led the Rockies with six wins and tied for the MLB rookie lead in quality starts with seven. Sent to Triple-A Albuquerque to start the season, Gordon pitched six games in long relief and one as the bulk pitcher behind an opener.

In Monday’s start, Gordon saw the leadoff batter reach in four of his five innings but he kept damage minimal.

“Obviously, we want to come out with the win,” Gordon told reporters. “I was able to keep us in the game for those five innings, and the defense was making good plays behind me. I was just staying out of the middle of the zone.”

The Rockies sent Gordon down during spring to work on diversifying his pitch mix. He's honing his breaking balls at the Major League level and focusing on additional areas.

“I think, obviously, limiting those innings where they get guys on, and limiting my pitch count is going to enable me to get deeper into the game,” he said. “I think I’ll be a little bit tighter with two strikes.”

Feltner was 1-1, with a 6.50 ERA in his two Major League starts before the injury. After rehabbing, he had two strong Minor League starts, including five innings with five strikeouts for Albuquerque on Sunday afternoon.

Feltner said the nerve tightness has “been gone for a long time,” so he has concentrated on building endurance. An announcement on his pitching schedule is expected within days.

“I haven't talked to the coaching staff yet about when I'll pitch again,” he said. “I assume it's coming up soon. I'm feeling good with my process and not looking too far ahead.”