SEATTLE -- Rockies outfielder Tyler Freeman was scratched from the lineup ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Mariners due to lower back tightness.
Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer said Freeman is day to day after their 4-3 loss to the Mariners. Freeman was pulled from the lineup 30 minutes prior to the first pitch after taking batting practice.
Freeman, who was set to bat leadoff as the designated hitter, was replaced by Kyle Farmer, who batted in the No. 8 spot in the lineup for the Rockies and went 0-for-3. Mickey Moniak moved up to leadoff in the lineup.
In his first season with the Rockies, Freeman is batting .281 with two homers and 31 RBI in 110 games played. He's stolen 18 bases -- one behind team leader Jordan Beck.
He's enjoyed the latter half of September, batting .324 in his past eight games.
Freeman came to Colorado ahead of the '25 season, in the trade that sent Nolan Jones to Cleveland. With the Guardians, Freeman primarily played center field before assuming a utility role in the second half of 2024.
Mainly playing right field for the Rockies, Freeman’s seen time at DH (28 games) second base (16) and one game each at left field and third base.
He dealt with an oblique injury earlier this season, missing over a month before returning to the lineup on May 17.
Freeman, 26, will become eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season and be a free agent in 2029.
In his sixth career start, rookie McCade Brown stymied a powerful Mariners lineup for five innings. The right-hander pitched five innings, allowed one run on two hits and struck out a career-high 10 batters. He came into the game with 11 career strikeouts.
He’s the second pitcher in club history to notch 10 strikeouts or more within their first six starts, joining Christian Friedrich (May 14, 2012).
“Just the mound presence and how he’s attacking hitters,” Schaeffer said. “With just everything that he is – you can see it out there.”
Josh Naylor, however, delivered a base-clearing two-out double to give Seattle a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning off reliever Juan Mejia. He loaded the bases after walking J.P Crawford and hitting both Luke Raley and Julio Rodríguez.
“Three free passes against a good team -- that’s just going to come back and bite you," Schaeffer said.