German Marquez experienced stiffness in his forearm during a bullpen session, leading the Rockies to place him on the IL after his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery
DENVER — The right-handed pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, German Marquez, was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to right elbow inflammation just eight days after making his first start in the Major Leagues following Tommy John surgery.
The Venezuelan Márquez underwent elbow surgery on May 12, 2023. He made his return on July 14, where he allowed three runs in four innings during the Rockies’ 8-5 win over the New York Mets.
After the All-Star break, Marquez felt stiffness in his forearm during a bullpen session.
“German’s arm just didn’t bounce back early in New York,” Colorado manager Bud Black stated. “This is a result of his last rehab game in Hartford and his game in New York, where both his pitch count and intensity increased.”
Marquez, who threw 70 pitches against the Mets, will be out for several days before pitching again.
“It’s likely the right decision to place him on the injured list,” Black mentioned. “I was a bit concerned about how he was feeling. He seemed hesitant in his [bullpen] session on Saturday. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully, it will only be a couple of weeks.”
Marquez holds a career record of 65-56 over nine major league seasons, all with Colorado. He made four starts in 2023 before his surgery.
Also on Monday, Black announced that first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant is expected to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Bryant has been out since June 2 due to rib and oblique injuries. The former NL MVP is hitting .186 with two home runs in 24 games.
German Marquez Experiences Forearm Stiffness, Placed on Injured List Following Tommy John Surgery
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have placed right-handed pitcher German Marquez on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, just eight days after making his first start in the major leagues post-Tommy John surgery.
Marquez, a Venezuelan, underwent elbow surgery on May 12, 2023. His much-anticipated return came on July 14, when he faced the New York Mets and allowed three runs in four innings during the Rockies’ 8-5 victory.
Injury Details
Following the All-Star break, Marquez reported stiffness in his forearm during a bullpen session. Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black addressed Marquez’s condition, stating, “German’s arm just didn’t come back early on in New York. This comes from his last game in Hartford and his game in New York, where his pitch count increased and the intensity increased.”
Performance Post-Surgery
In his return against the Mets, Marquez threw 70 pitches, a significant step in his recovery. However, the stiff forearm now sidelines him for a few days as he prepares for a safe return to the mound. Black acknowledged the situation, saying, “It’s probably the right thing to do to put him on the injured list. I was a little concerned about how he was feeling.”
Marquez’s Career Snapshot
| Year | Games Started | Wins | Losses | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 4.39 |
| 2017 | 29 | 11 | 7 | 4.74 |
| 2018 | 31 | 14 | 10 | 3.77 |
| 2019 | 33 | 11 | 10 | 4.64 |
| 2020 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 5.06 |
| 2021 | 32 | 13 | 9 | 4.42 |
| 2022 | 30 | 9 | 9 | 4.81 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3.93 |
Next Steps
The Rockies hope that Marquez’s time on the injured list is brief, with Black mentioning, “Hopefully only a couple of weeks.” During this period, recovery will be key for Marquez to regain strength and confidence.
Impact on the Team
With Marquez on the shelf, the Rockies will need to adjust their pitching rotation. His absence may put more pressure on other pitchers to step up in his place. Moreover, it highlights the ongoing challenge teams face in managing players returning from significant injuries like Tommy John surgery.
Kris Bryant’s Return
In related news, manager Bud Black also announced that first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant is set to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Bryant has been sidelined since June 2 due to rib and oblique injuries. The former NL MVP has had a tough start to 2024, batting only .186 with two home runs in 24 games.
Conclusion
As the Rockies navigate through the challenges posed by injuries, the focus will be on ensuring the long-term health of their players like Marquez and Bryant. Fans remain hopeful for a strong second half of the season and improved performances from the team as key players return from their respective injuries.
