MESA, Arizona | Colorado Rockies left-handed starting pitcher Kyle Freeland was taken out in the third inning against Oakland Tuesday after straining his throwing shoulder.
After throwing a pitch, he walked to the side of the mound, bent down in discomfort, dropped his glove and grabbed just underneath his shoulder. The Rockies are waiting for further tests to determine the severity of the strain.
“When you see that, it’s a sickening feeling for all of us. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and hopefully we get some good news out of this,” Rockies manager Bud Black said after a 4-1 exhibition loss to the Athletics. “But I’m concerned.”
Freeland surrendered two hits and two runs over two innings. He struck out three and walked one before being taken out.
Black said there were no issues with soreness entering Tuesday’s game.
“He’s been great all spring as far as hitting all of his markers to get ready for the season,” Black said. “No indication at all that this possibility could happen.”
Freeland made a team-high 13 starts in a virus-shortened 2020 season. He was 2-3 with a 4.33 ERA. His nine quality starts were tied for the second-most in the National League.