Right-hander Chase Dollander took his first step toward a return to the Rockies' MLB rotation on Friday night, but it’s not a defining one, according to interim manager Warren Schaeffer.
The 23-year-old made his first start since being optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, tossing 90 pitches in five innings.
Dollander allowed five runs on six hits with three walks and three K's against the Round Rock Express (the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate). He allowed a two-run homer to Rowdy Tellez in the first inning.
Regardless of how Dollander pitched on Friday, the Rockies are being patient.
“There’s no rush to say, ‘Hey, one good start and he’s back up here,’” Schaeffer said. “That’s not how we’re handling this.”
Dollander, the Rockies’ first-round pick in the 2023 Draft, debuted on April 6 and showed big-league caliber stuff, but only seven of his 15 starts were five innings or more.
He struck out 52 in 68 2/3 innings, but also walked 33 and allowed 15 homers.
“I look for him to just go down there and work on what he needs to work on,” Schaeffer said. “He just needs to progress with pounding the strike zone, getting ahead in counts and being efficient. Just looking for steps forward from him.”