Rockies place Fuentes on DL with back injury
SportsLine.com wire reports
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies placed lefty reliever Brian Fuentes on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained back muscle that acted up in his outing a day earlier.
Fuentes has been bothered by his troublesome back for several weeks. The Rockies had discussed placing him on the DL earlier, but he recovered for a short time.
"We're just going to shut it down and try to get it right," manager Clint Hurdle said.
Fuentes, 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA in 19 appearances this season, struggled to get loose in one-third of an inning during Sunday's 16-4 loss and allowed three hits and two runs.
The Rockies purchased the contract of hard-throwing righty closer Marc Kroon from Triple-A Colorado Springs to fill Fuentes' roster spot.
Kroon was in the bullpen for Monday's game against the San Francisco Giants, the finale of a four-game series. The 31-year-old Kroon hasn't pitched in a major league game since June 15, 1998, while playing for the Cincinnati Reds against Houston.
Kroon was leading the Triple-A Sky Sox with 24 outings this year, going 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA and a team-leading eight saves. He appeared in 20 major league games from 1995-98.
"He's a power pitcher and has a history of success in the minors," Hurdle said. "He has an old-fashioned forkball he throws with good velocity. He's dabbling with a slider. There have been times he's been flat out lights out and unhittable at that level."
Yet without Fuentes, Colorado is left with one left-hander in the bullpen. Hurdle said the club was considering its options and discussing bringing up a lefty from within the organization.
Hurdle acknowledged it's going to take time for this pitching staff to develop.
"We are going with a young crew now, basically through the entire pitching staff," Hurdle said. "That said, there's room for optimism. ... We're going to have to cut some teeth and get guys opportunities to get some experience."
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