Scott

Oberg

Unfortunately, the right-hander dealt with numerous blood clots throughout the course of his career which ultimately made continuing his career “untenable.” The 32-year-old will stay in the game though, as he has accepted a part-time position with the Rockies. Best of luck to Oberg in this next phase of his career.

Oberg hasn’t pitched for the Rockies since the 2019 campaign due to blood clots in his right elbow and hinted last May at possibly retiring. There’s a strong possibility that the 32-year-old right-hander’s career is over, but he’s been an invaluable clubhouse presence for the Rockies’ pitching staff and could have a future in coaching someday.

Oberg hasn’t appeared in a major league game since August 2019 and required yet another surgery this offseason for more blood clots around his right elbow. “I’m not really in a rush to pick up a ball again in the near term and give it another go, just in the sense that (I) keep running into the risk of having to go through all of this again,” the 32-year-old said. “Now, it’s not really my decision, I don’t feel at this point, really. It’s kind of a family decision just because there’s so much more on the line.”

Oberg underwent another surgery for blood clots in his elbow in November. He’s missed the last three seasons, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to pitch again.

The good news is that it was a planned surgery, not an emergency procedure, for Oberg in this case. The 31-year-old righty missed the entire 2021 campaign after undergoing a similar procedure to remove blood clots in his right elbow last March. He remains sidelined indefinitely. Oberg has stated that he wants to return, and the Rockies want to have him back in a scouting and coaching capacity, even if he’s unable to pitch this season.

Rockies manager Bud Black said on Saturday that Oberg pitched in a “B” Game on Wednesday, then felt discomfort in his arm during Thursday morning’s practice. He was sent to the hospital and had surgery later that night to remove blood clots in his right elbow. Black refused to speculate on Oberg’s future in baseball, but there’s a strong possibility that his career is over.

The 31-year-old hurler underwent thoracic outlet surgery last September as an attempt to prevent the return of blood clots in his pitching arm -- an issue that has sidelined him three times during his career. It’s too early to speculate on how much time Oberg may miss, but Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post believes that it has the potential to end his big league career. It’s a huge blow to the Rockies bullpen, as Oberg was slated to function as their primary setup man in front of Daniel Bard, or usurp the role from him.

Oberg entered in the bottom of the fifth and gave up a leadoff single to Nick Castellanos before inducing a lineout from Mike Moustakas and then striking out both Eugenio Suarez and Nick Senzel. The 31-year-old right-hander could be a darkhorse candidate to lead the Rockies in saves this season if Daniel Bard is unable to repeat his fine NL Comeback Player of the Year showing from 2020. Oberg missed all of last year due to blood clotting issues that required multiple surgeries, but he sure looks healthy now.

Bard’s incredible comeback was one of the best stories in baseball last year as he made it all the way back to the major leagues for the first time since 2013. The 35-year-old righty recorded six saves with a 3.65 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 27/10 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings (23 appearances) last season. With Scott Oberg coming off surgery to prevent blood clots, he’ll open the year as the Rockies’ stopper. The high-octane offensive environment of Coors Field amplifies the risk factor, relative to other late-round closing options, but he misses enough bats to warrant a roster spot in deeper mixed leagues moving forward.

Bard is the presumed closer in Colorado after winning the National League Comeback Player of the Year award in 2020. However, the impending return of Scott Oberg will provide the 35-year-old with some competition for the job. Bard picked up six saves last season with a 3.65 ERA and 9.85 K/9 over 24 2/3 innings for the Rockies.