In Game 1 of the Colorado Rockies' doubleheader on Tuesday, Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa pitched 2.1 innings before he left the game with an undisclosed injury. A short time later it was announced that he had left elbow soreness. Now it is being reported that the injury is much worse.
The ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow has a complete tear in it, reports the Denver Post. This will likely require Tommy John surgery to repair, keeping De La Rosa out for the next year.
With Ubaldo Jimenez's early season troubles, Jorge De La Rosa had emerged, along with Jhoulys Chacin, as a reliable front-end starter. Before Tuesday's start, De La Rosa had a 3.34 ERA in nine starts (5-2 record). He had struck out 49 in 56.2 innings.
The Rockies will now need to determine their next step in replacing De La Rosa in the rotation. Aaron Cook is set to return before the end of May, while the Rockies already have Greg Reynolds up (he pitched in relief of De La Rosa in the game).
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