Update
The Rockies got some good news in regards to their bullpen on Tuesday—sort of.
Closer Huston Street visited Dr. James Andrews yesterday, and an MRI revealed no structural damage.
Usually when a player visits Andrews, the term Tommy John or rotator cuff surgery follows. The fact that this didn’t happen with Street is very good news for Rockies fans.
The bad news is that Street probably won’t be back until mid-May, if not later. Franklin Morales might be a suitable replacement, but the Rockies will need Street if they are going to win the NL West this year.
Original Post: March 18, 2010
I am really starting to believe that there is something to Huston Street’s odd year, even year trend. In odd years, Street has been really good since entering the league in 2005.
In odd years, Street has a 2.53 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP. In even years, Street has a 3.52 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. As you can see, Street has been much better in odd years than even years.
Now that we are entering an even year in 2010, it looks like Street’s trend is continuing.
According to The Denver Post, Street will most likely enter the year on the disabled list. Street felt tightness in his shoulder while playing catch on Tuesday and has been shut down indefinitely.
If Street is out for a significant period of time, it would be a big blow to the Rockies. Outside of his playoff meltdown against the Philadelphia Phillies, Street was really solid for the Rockies last season.
To compound matters, Rafael Betancourt, who became the Rockies’ eighth inning setup guy and would be the likely candidate to replace Street, has a shoulder injury of his own that he is nursing. To say the back end of the Rockies’ bullpen is hurting right now is an understatement.
If Street or Betancourt isn’t ready to start the season, Manny Corpas or Franklin Morales could be candidates for the closer's role.
Corpas would be an interesting choice because he was the closer for the Rockies at the end of the 2007 season when they made their World Series run. He had a 2.08 ERA that season but hasn’t been the same since. Corpas has really struggled this spring as well posting a 7.11 ERA in 6.1 innings.
Morales hasn’t been much better this spring, as he has given up 12 hits and 10 earned runs in 7.2 innings.
Perhaps the Rockies can bring back Jerry DiPoto to close games.
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