The Colorado Rockies placed closer Jake McGee on the disabled list Saturday with left knee inflammation, according to Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com. It is uncertain when he’ll return to the mound.
Continue for updates.
McGee MRI Results Revealed
Saturday, June 11
McGee was “diagnosed with a sprained MCL” after undergoing an MRI, according to Ben Weinrib of MLB.com.
McGee Has Been Steady Anchor to Rockies Bullpen
According to Nick Groke of the Denver Post, McGee underwent an MRI after tweaking his knee on the final pitch of his outing Friday night.
The team called up pitcher Tyler Anderson to take his roster spot, per Ringolsby.
McGee, 29, has gone 0-2 in 24 appearances with a 4.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 15 saves and 15 strikeouts in 21.2 innings pitched. He has also blown three save opportunities, including Friday night’s outing, when he gave up a three-run homer to Wil Myers in the team’s 7-5 loss to the San Diego Padres.
While McGee hasn’t been elite as the team’s closer, he’s been a fairly steady option, and his injury will shake up the bullpen. The top two candidates to replace him in the role are Jason Motte and Carlos Estevez.
Motte has compiled a 3.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in six appearances, striking out five batters. He has experience as a closer, albeit limited, as he registered 42 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012.
Estevez has settled into the eighth-inning role nicely, meanwhile, with a 1-3 record, 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 22 strikeouts and nine holds in 21 appearances.
He has blown two save opportunities, however, and the Rockies may utilize both Motte and Estevez in the closing role unless one establishes himself as a consistent option while McGee remains unavailable.
You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com