Halvorsen diagnosed with mild right flexor strain

DENVER – Rockies rookie closer Seth Halvorsen has a mild right flexor strain – an MRI result that left interim manager Warren Schaeffer expressing relief Monday that the injury is not more extensive.

“It’s a mild flexor strain, which is a good report from an MRI,” Schaeffer said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean surgery. He could potentially pitch again this year with such an injury, which is positive news.”

Halvorsen, 25, who is 11-for-14 on save chances this season, left Saturday’s victory over the Pirates in the ninth inning with the elbow injury. The development was concerning, because Halvorsen underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 as a freshman at the University of Missouri.

After an MRI on Sunday, Halvorsen and the club withheld discussing the result publicly because more information was needed. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 3.

Schaeffer said Victor Vodnik (2-for-6 on save chances), who pitched in closing situations when Halvorsen was not available, will be the primary closer, with rookie Juan Mejia (tied for the club lead with seven holds) closing when Vodnik isn’t available.

Before the injury, Halvorsen blossomed in the ninth-inning role as one of the Majors’ hardest-throwing relievers.

“His demeanor is exceptional for that role in my ‘pen,” Schaeffer said. “He’s the same guy every day, wants the ball, throws 103, the physical aspect with a nasty split and a good slider. He’s got big league closer stuff, he’s got big league closer demeanor. He doesn’t get shaken, he has a slow heartbeat. He learns from his mistakes. I can go on about Seth.”

Freeland update

Lefty Kyle Freeland, still feeling the effects of the illness that marred his last start, was pushed from Tuesday night to Wednesday afternoon. The Rockies have summoned right-hander Anthony Molina from Triple-A Albuquerque and plan to activate him for Tuesday’s start.