Kendrick to have MRI on right shoulder

ST. LOUIS -- Rockies right-hander Kyle Kendrick left Friday night's 7-0 loss to the Cardinals after one inning with right shoulder inflammation, and will undergo an MRI on Monday in Denver. Kendrick said a doctor told him a rotator cuff issue is suspected, but he hopes it's not serious.

Kendrick (4-12, 6.43 ERA), who took the loss on Friday, said he has been pitching through the soreness for two months. On Friday, he couldn't do long-toss before the game and came out when his fastball, usually around 88 mph, dipped to 83.

"It's just something that I couldn't really pitch through anymore," Kendrick said. "It's not fun pitching with pain. Hopefully, things on Monday are OK and I'll do some rehabbing and get back whenever that is."

Kendrick yielded a leadoff homer to Matt Carpenter, which was the Major League-leading 26th homer off the Rockies' right-hander this season and the third by Carpenter just two games into a four-game series. Kendrick gave up four hits and two runs in the inning.

The problem is not new. From July 3 to July 21, Kendrick threw just one inning, when he didn't return after a lengthy rain delay. Some of that could be explained away by schedule quirks and the All-Star break, but after the break manager Walt Weiss revealed that Kendrick was dealing with inflammation.

Kendrick, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Rockies after eight seasons with the Phillies, is 4-12 this season with a 6.43 ERA.

When Kendrick signed with the Rockies, he banked on his durability. Kendrick threw a career-high 199 innings last year and has cleared 180 two other times. His contract calls for a $500,000 bonus for reaching 190 innings. The injury comes with Kendrick at 113.