CINCINNATI -- Rockies right-handed starter Ryan Feltner played catch Tuesday to begin his goal of returning to the starting rotation without needing a Minor League rehab assignment.
Feltner left his last start, at home against the Padres on April 23, with soreness that was diagnosed as right ulnar nerve inflammation through an MRI. He is trying to put behind him a 2025 season during which he was limited to six Major League starts by back spasms, and a right shoulder injury that materialized right before he was due to return to the Rockies.
The offseason consisted of changes in his workout routine, with the hope that he would stay healthy and return to the production level he displayed in late 2024 (2.98 ERA over his final 15 starts).
“I think an early-season spike in workload is probably what got me,” Feltner said. “It’s being patient, taking it one day at a time. I was glad to be able to throw today and feel normal. I’m hoping to avoid [a rehab assignment]. Kyle Freeland [left shoulder inflammation] and Jose Quintana [slight right hamstring strain] went on the injured list and were able to skip that. Hopefully, it’s the same for me, but every situation is different.”
Feltner’s injury was originally announced as right triceps tightness, but the numbness he felt along the arm and into his fingers led to further examination.