Right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley had an outside shot of representing the Rockies at next month’s All-Star Game. Now, that dream is gone and his excellent season is very likely over.
Manager Bud Black said Wednesday that Kinley, 31, will undergo surgery to repair his damaged right elbow.
“Tyler is going to undergo a procedure soon,” Black said before the Rockies hosted Cleveland at Coors Field. “When that procedure takes place, we will know more.”
Black described the injury as an elbow sprain and flexor tendon tear. Tommy John surgery, in which the elbow is reconstructed, is not needed at this time, Black said. The manager confirmed, however, that Kinley’s season is probably over.
“That answer will probably be clearer once he has the procedure, but I’m thinking that this is probably going to cost him the season,” Black said.
Kinley was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday, retroactive to last Thursday. The Rockies will now likely put him on the 60-day IL, freeing up a spot on the club’s 40-man roster.
At the time he went on the IL, Kinley’s 0.75 ERA (through 25 appearances) was the sixth-lowest in the majors and the third-lowest in the National League. Kinley’s ERA ranks as the third-lowest through a Colorado reliever’s first 25 games of a season in franchise history, and the lowest ever by a right-handed reliever.
His ERA was the lowest since left-hander Rex Brothers began his 2013 season with one run allowed through his first 25 appearances for a 0.39 ERA.
“It’s frustrating for Tyler, first and foremost, because he was throwing the ball so well and was in such a good place,” Black said. “It’s a bummer, for sure.”
Kinley overcame elbow soreness last season but rest took care of the problem. The injury is more severe this time.
“We were in San Diego (last weekend) and he tried to play catch,” Black said. “He didn’t feel (like) progress was being made. He was still sore. That necessitated the MRI and the scans.”
Kinley had become Black’s trusted set-up man to closer Daniel Bard and Kinley had already matched last season’s personal high with 10 holds.
Kinley agreed to a $1.025 million contract to avoid arbitration this past offseason. He’s slated to reach free agency after the 2024 season.
