Ryan

Feltner

Feltner was fortunate to get the W, as it was much more about the Colorado offense than effective pitching. He issues two walks, struck out just one batter, and generated all of three swings and misses over 70 pitches. Hard pass, but good enough for the win Monday. Feltner will be back on the mound Saturday against the Padres.

Feltner was struck on the backside by a 106-mph comebacker from Andrés Giménez at the conclusion of the third inning of his season debut, according to a team statement. It certainly doesn’t sound like a serious concern and fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day heading into his next start against the Astros at Coors Field on Monday.

Feltner appeared to be limping while coming off the mound after completing three shutout frames on 47 pitches (30 strikes) in his season debut north of the border. There should be an update on his status following the contest. His next start is on Monday against the Astros at Coors Field.

That means Ryan Feltner will begin the year as the team’s fifth starter. Dollander, 24, didn’t do himself any favors during Cactus League play, posting a miserable 6.43 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and a 10/7 K/BB ratio over 14 innings. It’s difficult to envision him working through his issues in short spurts in the bullpen though, so perhaps the Rockies would be better served keeping him stretched out at Triple-A Albuquerque.

It’ll be a one-year, $6 million deal. Quintana, who went 11-7 with a 3.96 ERA in 24 starts for the Brewers last season, will be the third veteran starter added by the Rockies, joining Michael Lorenzen and Tomoyuki Sugano. All seem likely to join Kyle Freeland in the rotation, leaving just one spot for Chase Dollander, Ryan Feltner or Tanner Gordon.

Feltner seemed like the best bet in the Rockies’ rotation going into last season, but he went down with a back injury after posting a 4.75 ERA in six starts and he was a complete mess after trying to return in June, resulting in him being shut down in the minors the following month. If he proves healthy in spring training, he should get a chance to rejoin the rotation.

Feltner allowed a run in the first, but he stranded the bases loaded then and in both the second and third. He was finally lifted after two more walks in the fourth. The assumption was that Feltner would be one of the Rockies’ best starters this season, but he went down with a back injury at the end of April and has had a tough time since he resumed pitching in mid-June. In six starts for Albuquerque, he’s allowed 21 earned runs, 23 walks and 29 hits in 21 innings.

Feltner will remain with the organization, but won’t pitch for the Rockies after the activation. He’s been out since late April with a back injury.

The procedural move opens up a spot on Colorado’s 40-man roster. Feltner has been out since late April dealing with back spasms. There’s a chance he’s ready to return at some point later this month, but that’s not a lock.

The initial plan was for Feltner to make two rehab starts before rejoining the Rockies’ rotation, so as long as he rebounds nicely from this one it sounds like he could take the ball for the Rockies on Saturday night against the Mets. His return is expected to push Carson Palmquist back to Triple-A Albuquerque.