Chris Rusin's return is vital for Rockies young pitching staff

Today’s news — first reported by Nick Groke of the Denver Post – that Chris Rusin should be ready to return to the Colorado Rockies by the end of March should not be understated in terms of its potential impact on the success of the 2017 campaign.

Rusin, as we’ve noted before, emerged last season as a vital member of the organization, pitching incredibly well in clutch situations, dominating hitters on both sides of the plate at times, and stepping in for occasional spot starts, giving the Rockies added roster flexibility. He was Swiss-Army-Rusin. And now the Rockies will ask him to display yet another helpful tool; rookie pitcher insurance.

If there are no setbacks and Rusin is indeed ready for the first game in Milwaukee, he immediately slots into the bullpen as a long man. We’ve discussed all spring the (forgive the pun) prospect that the Rockies will open the season with a rotation where four of the five members are in their first or second full seasons of work. While Bud Black rightfully pointed out the potential “fun” of such a situation, the history of baseball suggests there are going to be bumps in the road.

Even if whatever combination of Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, and German Marquez fill out the rotation end up pitching well early, the Rockies will want to keep a close eye on the wear and tear on their arms. Of course, the likelihood that some of these guys get knocked around a bit early in some of their first few starts is relatively high. We’ve seen it with Jon Gray, who quickly turned things around, and with Jeff Hoffman who is still working through some kinks.

So, who steps in when a rookie is running out of gas in the fourth inning either by being scored upon or simply through elevated pitch counts? Why Chris Rusin of course. Oftentimes, a long man in the bullpen is viewed as a “garbage man” who only comes in when his team is way up or way down. But the Rockies are looking at an inordinate number of times where they might want to remove a young guy to protect him (or because he’s thrown too many pitches) in games that are still very much winnable.

This is where Rusin’s value comes in. If he can capitalize by pitching as well in these situations as he did a year ago, giving the club a few innings of scoreless baseball, there should be plenty of opportunities for the potent Rockies offense to make comebacks. The offseason additions of Greg Holland and Mike Dunn, a full season of healthy Adam Ottavino make it more likely such comebacks would hold up.

Bud Black told us a few weeks ago that Rusin was no longer in consideration for the starting rotation, but that shouldn’t be mistaken for an announcement he will no longer be asked to carry the team in certain games in a very similar way to how a starter would have to.

Of course, the Rockies would prefer their young guys pitch lights out and Rusin can be deployed in single-inning situations or against tough lefties. But that’s the whole point of insurance. Chris Rusin: You’d rather have him and not need him than need him and not have him.