DENVER – So many innings, so little time and so few pitches for Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner in his return to the mound.
Feltner returned from a five-week absence due to right ulnar nerve inflammation and buzzed through the Giants for six scoreless innings in the Rockies’ 8-3 victory at Coors Field on Saturday night. The Rockies clinched their first series win since they swept the Mets at Citi Field April 24-26.
In his first outing since he left an April 23 start against the Padres after two innings, Feltner threw strikes on 41 of his 63 pitches. He struck out just two, but made up for that by forcing two double-play grounders.
“The efficiency part wasn't even really a goal,” Feltner said. “It just happened organically because of my mental process. Also, I just feel really confident with my stuff in the zone right now. I don't have to nibble too much, and I think that elicits some weak contact early, which keeps the pitch count low.”
The decision to shut down Feltner in April, when he felt tingling down the nerves to his fingers, proved prudent, allowing him to heal. He posted a 1.04 ERA during two injury rehab starts, one at Double-A Hartford and the other at Triple-A Albuquerque, and reset his mind as well as his arm.
“You're doing your rehab starts, but there's a lot of extra time on my hands,” he said. “The mental game has always been big for me. Meditation is big. I don’t feel like it's ever really hindered me, but I think you can always be better at it, and I felt really present and in the moment tonight, and just enjoying being out there.”
Consistently throwing first-pitch strikes helped Feltner keep hitters off-balance. He also ended trouble before it could brew by forcing double-play grounders after leadoff singles in the third and fifth frames. It was more than enough for the offense, which supported him with 14 hits -- including Jake McCarthy’s 3-for-4 performance with a home run and four RBIs.
A strong return from Feltner was what the reeling Rockies rotation needed. Michael Lorenzen and Kyle Freeland are in a period of struggle, and righty Chase Dollander and lefty Jose Quintana are out with elbow injuries that will take a while.
The Rockies have long believed Feltner could be an underrated gem they selected in the fourth round out of Ohio State in 2018. He debuted in ‘21 and has had periods of highly effective pitching. Injuries, such as a fractured skull when he was hit by a line drive in 2023 and back and right shoulder injuries that limited him to six Major League starts last season, have been roadblocks.
Now, Feltner is in a position to be a driving force.
“I always want to pitch to win and pitch to put the team in a place to win,” Feltner said. “A lot of what we've been dealing with, struggling-wise, is going to turn around. We have some really good pitchers, so really no extra pressure on my end from that standpoint. I have a lot of trust in those other guys.
“I just wanted to go out and execute my game plan tonight.”