Christian Friedrich To Make A Spot Start Saturday Afternoon vs. Milwaukee Brewers
By Andrew Dill
July 5, 2012; St. Louis, MO. USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Christian Friedrich (53) in action against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
According to Colorado Rockies MLB.com reporter Thomas Harding, the Rockies are leaning towards starting Christian Friedrich vs. Milwaukee Brewers Saturday afternoon in Juan Nicasio‘s spot in the starting rotation. Nicasio was sent down to Triple-A Colorado Springs after struggling mightily of late, calling up outfield/first base prospect Kyle Parker.
The Rockies really don’t have any other options right now outside of Friedrich, other than top prospect Jon Gray who they obviously don’t want to rush. Colorado recently called up three pitching prospects Eddie Butler, Christian Bergman, and Tyler Matzek due to injuries to Brett Anderson, Tyler Chatwood, and Jordan Lyles.
Friedrich has had some Major League experience where he made the club back in 2012, going 5-8 with a 6.17 ERA in 16 starts. During that season, Friedrich would suffer a stress fracture in his lower back, causing him to start just four games the next season. Friedrich is currently 1-8 at Triple-A Colorado with an ERA of 7.89 in 13 starts.
This will be the 11th pitcher to start for the Colorado Rockies in 2014 as the injury bug continues to tear the team apart. Friedrich is currently on the Rockies 40-man roster. If Colorado decides to go with Pedro Hernandez or Jon Gray, they would have to clear a 40-man roster spot in order to place one of them on the 25-man active roster.
Colorado begins a three-game set Friday night with the Milwaukee Brewers.