Rockies place a pair of relievers on DL, call one up for potential MLB debut

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies announced on Monday that they have placed Chris Rusin on the 10-day Disabled List with a right intercostal muscle strain.

This news comes just as Rusin says he was feeling like he was getting back to his best self. One of the most reliable relievers in baseball a year ago, the crafty lefty has been hit harder early in 2018, resulting in a 4.97 ERA over 12.2 innings.

Additionally, the Rockies needed to move Carlos Estevez from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL with a right elbow strain. This similarly comes at a rough time for Estevez who was trying to build on his strong finish to the 2017 season this year, but now it is questionable whether or not he will see MLB this year.

To take Rusin’s spot on the 25-man roster, Colorado has promoted left-handed starter, Harrison Musgrave. He will be fulfilling a bullpen role for now, though.

Musgrave (26) looks to make his MLB debut.

In three starts in Triple-A this year, he has posted a 3.38 ERA with 10 strikeouts and two walks. He was originally selected by the Rockies in the eighth round of the 2014 Draft.

He has the endurance and right mindset to fill a similar role to Rusin, pitching multiple innings and being especially tough on lefties, though the club may be picky with his appearances out of the gate.

Either way, Chris Rusin has become the glue that holds the Rockies bullpen together and the sooner his return, the better for the Rockies.