The Rockies remained optimistic Tuesday afternoon that right-hander German Marquez does not have a major arm injury and will avoid an extended absence from the starting rotation.
Marquez, who departed the mound with tightness in the mid-forearm of his right arm during Monday night’s game, underwent an MRI Tuesday afternoon and the club was waiting for the results.
“We want to (erase) any doubt as to what’s going on,” manager Bud Black said before the Rockies hosted the Cardinals at Coors Field. “(Head trainer) Keith (Dugger) and our team doctors recommended that. We will know more as the evening progresses and probably (know) tomorrow.”
Black said that Marquez told him that he was experiencing the “normal soreness” a pitcher feels the day after making a start.
“I think he’s going to be OK, I really do,” Black said. “And so does he, which is important.”
Black does not know yet if Marquez will miss his next start, which is scheduled for Sunday at Seattle. With an off day on Thursday, the Rockies could also choose to skip Marquez’s turn in the rotation and give him a chance to heal up.
Marquez, an all-star in 2021, departed the mound before the sixth inning with tightness in the mid-forearm of his right arm. He was warming up before the inning when he stopped throwing on the advice of catcher Elias Diaz.
“I hope I will be all right, just tightness,” Marquez said after the Rockies’ 7-4 win over the Cardinals.
Marquez, 28, said he has felt some tightness in between his three starts this season and said the tightness flared up again in the fourth inning on Monday but that he pitched through it for two innings.
Montero scratched
Third baseman Elehuris Montero was originally in the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game but was scratched because of an injury to the thumb on his right hand. Montero hurt his thumb while making an awkward slide at the plate while scoring a run in the fourth inning Monday.
“I think he’s going to be fine,” Black said, adding that he doesn’t think Montero will have to go on the 10-day injured list.
