Colorado Rockies reliever Jairo Diaz will miss the 2016 season after suffering a right ulnar collateral ligament tear in his right elbow, which will require Tommy John surgery.
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Diaz Won't Get Chance to Impress in 2016
Sunday, March 6
The Rockies announced on Sunday that the surgery is imminent.
Diaz, 24, pitched in 21 games for the Rockies last season, compiling an ERA+ of 200, with 18 strikeouts and six walks in 19 innings, per Baseball-Reference.com.
He suffered the injury during a spring training game on Saturday.
"I didn't feel it pop or anything," Diaz said Sunday morning of the injury, per Nick Groke of the Denver Post. "It just feels weird."
With the serious diagnosis, Diaz now will not be able to battle for his roster position, per Groke:
He battled wildness at times, but his 18 strikeouts against six walks seemed promising.
Diaz was set to battle with Scott Oberg, Justin Miller, Miguel Castro and Carlos Estevez for a spot in the bullpen. The elbow reconstruction surgery facing Diaz usually requires 12 to 16 months of recovery and rehabilitation.
While it doesn't appear the Rockies were going to rely on the right-hander to carry the bullpen, any pitching loss for Colorado is bad news considering it finished last in the majors in 2015 in team ERA at 4.65.
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