DENVER -- A left shoulder injury rendered Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber a spectator for the early portion of the season. Now, nearing a comeback, Gomber is getting more excited about what he’s seeing.
Gomber, who came down with left shoulder soreness during Spring Training and tried to come back quickly in April before deciding to let the injury heal, will pitch his second and possibly final injury rehab start on Tuesday night for Triple-A Albuquerque against Oklahoma City. His first was a solid, 41-pitch effort for Double-A Hartford on Wednesday.
Gomber threw a career-high 165 innings last year with some strong stretches en route to a 4.75 ERA over 30 starts and was expected to add experience to this year’s rotation. He’ll return to a team that, while off to one of the worst starts to a season in the Modern Era (since 1900), has played better recently.
“We’re trending in the right direction,” Gomber said. “We’ve played better ball the last two weeks. The record doesn’t indicate it. We haven’t won as many games as we’d like to, but we’ve been in a lot of games. We’ll just try to take the next step and figure out how to win as a group.”
Gomber believes he can help with the process.
“I’ve been in this division for five years, so I’ve got some history with all the teams,” he said. “I have a pretty good idea of the guys in the lineups all around the National League. I feel more prepared now.”
Gomber is making $6.35 million this year and is eligible for free agency at season’s end -- factors that, if he pitches well, could make him a candidate to move in advance of the Trade Deadline.
“I haven’t really thought about it -- I haven’t been playing,” Gomber said. “The No. 1 thing for me is to get back feeling healthy. I understand where I’m at contractually, obviously having a couple more months here. I’ve been here a long time. I’ve enjoyed my time here. I’m just trying to get back healthy, contributing again.”
Starter switch
Manager Warren Schaeffer moved righty Germán Márquez up to pitch Saturday and rookie righty Chase Dollander to Sunday afternoon. The originally scheduled starter, rookie lefty Carson Palmquist, met the Mets last Sunday. He struck out eight but gave up four runs, including two home runs, while throwing 89 pitches in 4 2/3 innings of the 5-3 loss.
“We just played the Mets last week and I just want them to see a couple different pitchers,” Schaeffer said.