Because the Rockies trudge by means of one other tough yr, there isn’t but any indication over whether or not or not supervisor Bud Black may very well be returning for his ninth season. GM Invoice Schmidt informed the Denver Publish’s Patrick Saunders that the group and Black will “discuss on the finish of the season” and that “there’s nothing extra to report on that” in the interim. It isn’t precisely a vote of confidence for Black, who’s on tempo for his sixth straight shedding season and his second straight yr of at the very least 100 losses.
Whereas Black’s contract is technically up after the season, his deal has been described previously (by reporter Nick Groke) as “a rolling year-to-year contract.” In each February 2022 and 2023, the Rox introduced a brand new one-year extension to Black’s deal, but no such extension was introduced this previous spring regardless that the 2 sides had some talks about Black’s future. It may very well be that proprietor Dick Monfort’s well-known penchant for loyalty to his workers was operating slightly skinny coming off a 103-loss season, or maybe Black himself may be contemplating a special function at age 67. Saunders writes that Black “loves educating younger gamers and collaborating within the Rockies’ makes an attempt to enhance,” however has additionally “remained mum about” the opportunity of returning as Colorado’s skipper.
Extra from across the NL West…
- The Dodgers’ checklist of forthcoming reinforcements off the injured checklist consists of Blake Treinen, as supervisor Dave Roberts informed The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya (hyperlinks to X) and different reporters that Treinen is anticipated to be activated on Tuesday. This implies Treinen will miss simply the minimal 15 days after some left hip discomfort despatched him to the IL again on August 5. Shoulder accidents restricted Treinen to 5 innings in 2022 and he didn’t pitch in any respect in 2023, and regardless of this minor hip challenge and a bruised lung/rib fractures suffered throughout Spring Coaching, he has nonetheless posted a 2.67 ERA in 30 1/3 innings for Los Angeles this yr. In additional constructive information in regards to the reduction corps, Roberts mentioned Brusdar Graterol will quickly throw a bullpen session, as Graterol is making a faster restoration than anticipated from a hamstring pressure. There was some concern that Graterol’s season would possibly’ve been in jeopardy when he was placed on the 15-day IL again on August 7, nevertheless it appears like he’ll be capable to return and attempt to salvage one thing from what has to date been a misplaced yr. Shoulder irritation prevented Graterol from making his season debut till August 6, and he confronted simply three batters (recording one out) earlier than hurting his hamstring.
- Giants reliever Randy Rodriguez was positioned on the 15-day injured checklist earlier this week attributable to proper elbow irritation, and supervisor Bob Melvin informed reporters (together with Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle) immediately that checks didn’t reveal any structural injury. Rodriguez will nonetheless be shut down for a few weeks earlier than being re-evaluated, so his absence ought to lengthen properly past the 15-day minimal. The hard-throwing Rodriguez has made a strong accounting of himself in his rookie season, posting a 3.93 ERA, 24.6% strikeout fee, and seven.6% stroll fee over 50 1/3 innings.
- Circling again to the Rockies for one closing notice, Colorado activated Nolan Jones from the 10-day injured checklist immediately, and optioned catcher Hunter Goodman to Triple-A. After a seeming breakout yr in 2023, Jones has hit solely .202/.311/.313 in 191 PA this season, whereas enjoying in simply 49 video games attributable to two prolonged IL stints associated to decrease again ache. Jones additionally had additional considerations off the sector, as he informed Patrick Saunders that his new child daughter had some respiratory issues however is now fortunately doing higher.
