Manship called up to start in place of injured Chatwood
NEW YORK -- After arriving in New York at about 5 a.m. ET following a red-eye flight, Jeff Manship was on the Citi Field mound and starting for the Rockies in their series finale against the Mets.
"He'll have some adrenaline going, and he'll probably crash and burn after the game," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "But he's ready to go."
The Rockies recalled Manship from Triple-A Colorado Springs to make Thursday's start in place of Tyler Chatwood, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. Weiss said the team considered piecing Thursday's game together with the bullpen, but decided going that route would overwork the relievers.
So they turned to the 28-year-old Manship, who made his first Major League start this season. He spent parts of the previous four seasons pitching for the Minnesota Twins, and Colorado signed him to a Minor League contract during the offseason.
"He's got some big league experience. He's throwing the ball well, particularly the last couple times out," Weiss said. "He was the guy."
Manship pitched in 24 games for Colorado Springs, including 17 starts, going 6-8 with a 4.85 ERA. In his last five starts, Manship was 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA, while walking seven and striking out 28.
Whether Manship stays in the rotation while Chatwood's on the DL remains to be seen.
"We'll figure that out," Weiss said. "Things change about every six or eight hours in this game, so it's hard to predict the next couple weeks."
To clear room for Manship on the 40-man roster, the Rockies placed left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich on the 60-day disabled list with lower back inflammation.
The Rockies, meanwhile, will be without Chatwood for the foreseeable future. Chatwood was 7-4 with a 3.15 ERA before going on the DL.
The 23-year-old has had a frustrating week.
While he was doing sprint work in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Chatwood experienced left hamstring tightness, causing him to be scratched from Tuesday's start. The Rockies were hoping a couple days of extra rest would be enough for him to heal and start Thursday.
Chatwood pitched a bullpen session Tuesday, and came through it without any problems. But then on Wednesday, he tried to play catch and he could hardly throw. Chatwood said it felt like something was "pinching" in the elbow area.
"It's definitely frustrating. I don't think I've ever been hurt in my career, and I tweaked my hammy and now my arm," Chatwood said. "So it's definitely frustrating, but hopefully I'm not out too long, try to do what I need to do and get back."
Back on June 3, Chatwood was pulled from his start against the Reds after allowing a run in four innings because of sore right triceps. Chatwood was given extra rest and made his next start on June 15. At that time, he didn't need a trip to the disabled list.
Chatwood said he's felt some pain in the same area when he threw bullpen sessions, but he didn't want to try and pitch through it any longer.
"I don't think I would've been out there and benefited our team," Chatwood said. "I don't know what would've happened if I had tried to throw."
Chatwood will be examined in Denver on Friday. He said he's optimistic that he'll be back on the mound soon enough.
"I think once we get back and find out exactly what it is," Chatwood said, "we'll try to knock it out pretty quick."