Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Monday but he’s already starting to feel better about his latest injury, according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.
Chacin was taken out of Friday night’s game with what was originally described as a strained left oblique. Less than 24 hours later, the ace of the Rockies pitching staff was having doubts that the injury was his oblique.
“I was able to do some exercise, and if it was an oblique I couldn’t do it,” Chacin told Saunders. “I don’t think it’s the oblique, maybe just something in my lower back.”
Chacin was hampered by spasms in his lower back during spring training, and the spasms forced him to miss a start.
The mystery ailment will probably force Chacin to miss one start this week. His next start is scheduled Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves but if the MRI exam isn’t done until Monday, there is little chance that any remedy will have cured him by then.
But that’s if the injury is something more serious than back spasms. If that is all it is, there is a chance that he won’t miss a start. The coaching staff would have to decide if he can forego his in-between bullpen session.
One option for Wednesday, in the event that Chacin doesn’t pitch, is Josh Outman, who was recalled from Colorado Springs on Friday. The Rockies optioned Chris Volstad to Colorado Springs to make room on the roster for Outman.
Outman appeared in five games for the Sky Sox this season (all in relief) and had a sparkling 0.84 ERA. He does have Major League experience as a starter but with so few innings worked this season (10.2), he might not have the stamina to go deep into a game.
He started three games for the Rockies last season and nine games in 2011 for the Oakland Athletics. He has made 32 career starts, compiling an 8-9 record and 4.69 ERA. His most recent start came on July 2, when he tagged for two earned runs in three innings.
