DENVER – Rockies right-handed pitcher Germán Márquez expressed relief that the tightness in his right shoulder that has affected his last two starts was diagnosed as biceps tendinitis, and not an extensive shoulder issue.
Márquez, who expects to be placed on the 15-day injured list, held the Reds to one run in six innings of a 3-2 Rockies victory – despite feeling tightness on July 11. He hoped that looseness would arrive after resting during the All-Star break.
The official announcement did not come before Tuesday night’s Rockies game against the Cardinals. Right-hander Tanner Gordon, who has bounced between the Rockies and Triple-A Albuquerque this season, was in the Rockies’ clubhouse on Tuesday but was not on the active roster.
But in Sunday’s 7-1 loss to the Twins, Márquez gave up three runs and uncharacteristically walked four while lasting three innings. His fastball velocity dropped, and he bounced his curveball, all because the tightness affected his extension and pronation.
“Yes,” Márquez answered emphatically on Tuesday when asked if he is relieved, “because I’ve never had a shoulder injury. It wasn’t me. I was throwing 91-92 [mph]. I was grinding."
The MRI on Monday didn’t reveal the structural damage that comes with a major shoulder issue. Márquez and head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said the problem is a byproduct of the 2023 elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. This is the first time since 2022 that Márquez has had a full innings load.
Márquez said he began taking anti-inflammatory medication on Tuesday and already feels better.
At the start, Márquez struggled mightily with location, and had an 8.78 ERA through May 17. Since then, there have been good and bad starts, but he has a respectable 3.55 ERA in his last 11 starts, with 52 strikeouts against 19 walks.
The injury has the potential to cloud the outlook for Márquez and the Rockies, with the Trade Deadline looming on July 31. Márquez, who broke in with the Rockies in 2017 and was an All-Star in 2021, is at the end of a two-year, $20 million contract extension and has been seen as a possible rental for a team seeking a starter to end the season.
A team would have to trust Márquez’s health and sharpness after the IL stint.
“I can control what I can control,” Márquez said. “I just need to get hold of this, and keep pitching.”