Dollander (2-1) earned the win in relief Thursday against the Astros after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out five.
Dollander pitched behind opener Juan Mejia, who allowed two runs on three hits across two-thirds of an inning, but looked absolutely dominant in this bulk-relief appearance. The nine punchouts were a season-high mark for Dollander, who hadn't struck out more than six in any of his previous three multi-inning appearances. Through five outings in 2026, Dollander owns an impressive 23:6 K:BB, as well as a 3.32 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, in 19 innings.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Set for bulk-relief outing
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Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer confirmed that Dollander will cover the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen behind opening pitcher Juan Mejia during Thursday's game against the Astros in Houston, Eli Whitney of BlakeStreetBanter.com reports.
After making a one-inning appearance in his most recent outing Sunday against the Padres, Dollander was expected to continue serving in a more traditional relief role this week with the Rockies getting Jose Quintana (hamstring) back from the injured list Wednesday, but Kyle Freeland's (shoulder) move to the IL in a corresponding transaction has left a rotation spot open. The Rockies will turn to Dollander to essentially take Freeland's turn Thursday, but the 24-year-old righty will probably need a strong showing against the Astros to ensure he receives additional bulk-relief appearances or starts. Tanner Gordon struck out four over four scoreless innings of long relief in Wednesday's 3-1 loss, giving the Rockies a viable alternative the next time as a fifth starter is needed if Dollander can't get the job done.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Tosses inning in relief Sunday
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Dollander yielded one earned run on one hit over one inning of relief in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Padres.
Dollander has made all four of his appearances out of the bullpen this season, but he served as the de facto fifth starter for Colorado in his previous outing, covering 4.1 innings behind opener Jimmy Herget in the Rockies' 7-3 loss to San Diego on Thursday. The right-hander worked in a more traditional relief role Sunday, helping the Rockies get through the series finale after starter Kyle Freeland (shoulder) was scratched shortly before opening pitch. Assuming Freeland is able to make his next turn, Dollander appears likely to remain in the bullpen moving forward. The Rockies still have an opening for a fifth starter, but Jose Quintana (hamstring) could be ready to return from the injured list as soon as Wednesday to fill the void.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Fares well behind opener
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Dollander allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against San Diego on Thursday.
Dollander has yet to start a game this season, but he's completed at least four innings in all three of his appearances so far. The right-hander tossed 81 pitches Thursday, throwing 55 of them for strikes and getting a healthy 14 whiffs. Dollander opened the season in poor fashion by allowing four runs over four innings against Toronto on March 30 (while ironically picking up his lone win of the campaign so far), but he's since given up just two runs while posting a 9:2 K:BB across 8.2 frames over his subsequent two outings. It remains to be seen if he'll eventually be moved into a traditional starting role, but for now he seems to be feeling comfortable in bulk relief after struggling to a 2-12 record and 6.52 ERA across 21 appearances (all starts) as a rookie last season.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Will pitch in Saturday's game
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Dollander will pitch Saturday against the Phillies in place of the injured Jose Quintana (hamstring), Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.
Dollander is set to handle the lion's share of the workload Saturday, though it could come as a bulk reliever and not a traditional starting pitcher. The right-hander opened the season in the Rockies' bullpen and yielded four runs over a four-inning relief appearance Monday against the Blue Jays. Dollander could get multiple turns either as a starter or bulk reliever while Quintana recuperates.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Shaky spring
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Dollander has allowed six earned runs on 13 hits and four walks with six strikeouts across 10.1 innings across four Cactus League appearances.
Dollander prevented runs effectively through his first three spring outings, but he still had only a 5:3 K:BB across seven innings. He also allowed four earned runs across 3.1 frames in his most recent outing against the Mariners, potentially placing his spot in the rotation in jeopardy to begin the season. In Thomas Harding's most recent roster projection, Ryan Feltner was penciled into the fifth starter role, though he also noted that Colorado would prefer for Dollander to claim the job.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Officially placed on IL
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The Rockies placed Dollander on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a patella tendon strain in his left knee.
Dollander will be eligible to return from the injured list to start one of the Rockies' final games of the season, but the more likely outcome is that Colorado keeps him on the shelf for the rest of the year. If that ends up being the case, he would finish his rookie campaign with a 6.52 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 82:49 K:BB through 98 innings across 21 starts. Bradley Blalock was recalled from Triple-A to round out Colorado's rotation.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: IL stint coming
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Dollander will be placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a knee injury, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Dollander reported knee pain after his start Monday and underwent imaging Tuesday. The exact results of those tests are unclear, but it will apparently be enough to send him to the injured list. Dollander's season is likely over, though he will technically be eligible to return in the final few days of the season. If he remains on the shelf, the 23-year-old will finish his rookie campaign with a 6.52 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 82:49 K:BB across 98 innings.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Awaiting MRI results on knee
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Dollander underwent an MRI on his left knee Tuesday, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.
Dollander said after his start Monday that his sore left knee was beginning to affect his command and velocity, per Henry, so the Rockies pulled him after he made it through five innings of one-run ball. The team brought him in for imaging to determine whether the right-hander's injury is the result of a structural issue, and the results of the test will help determine his availability for his next scheduled start -- tentatively scheduled to come Saturday in San Diego.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Sharp in no-decision
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Dollander allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Monday.
Dollander did his part, but the Rockies got no-hit for the first eight innings of the game. They were able to scrape together a run to keep Dollander from taking the loss, and it's encouraging he pitched well after allowing 10 runs over 9.1 innings across his first two career starts against the Dodgers. Despite this positive step forward, he still has a 6.52 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 82:49 K:BB through 98 innings over 21 starts this season. The rookie right-hander's next start is projected to be in San Diego this weekend.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Yields six runs in loss
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Dollander (2-12) took the loss against San Francisco on Monday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two batters over five innings.
Dollander was particularly hurt by the long ball Monday -- of the five hits he allowed, two left the park. The rookie righty didn't help himself with his wildness -- in addition to his three walks he also hit two batters, with both of the batters he plunked eventually coming around to score. Dollander continues to find the sledding tough in the majors; he hasn't earned a win since April 30 and has gone 0-9 with a 6.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP over 15 starts since that last victory. He's had a trip to the IL and a demotion to the minors over that period, but he seems likely to ride out the rest of the campaign in the Rockies' rotation despite his struggles.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: No-decision Saturday
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Dollander did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out six.
The right-hander was chased before finishing the fifth inning, with Lourdes Gurriel and Adrian Del Castillo each driving in runs to expedite his departure. Since being recalled Aug. 11, Dollander has made two starts, giving up five earned runs over 9.2 innings. The 2023 first-rounder's lively arm has yet to translate into consistent results at the big-league level, as he carries a 6.43 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 78.1 innings in 17 starts this season.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Fans five in return to big leagues
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Dollander didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on five hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out five.
The rookie right-hander was impressive in his first major-league start since July 6 versus the White Sox, as it was just the second time through 16 outings this year that he fired at least five innings while conceding just one run. Dollander generated a respectable 11 whiffs, and the five punchouts were his most since May 18 in Arizona. He still has a rough 6.35 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 57:36 K:BB across 73.2 frames, so Dollander will remain tough to trust if he sticks around for his next scheduled turn versus the Diamondbacks at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Rejoins rotation
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The Rockies recalled Dollander from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.
Dollander will rejoin the Colorado rotation on Monday with a start in St. Louis. The right-hander posted a 6.68 ERA over 68.2 innings in 15 starts with the Rockies this season and held an 8.74 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in three starts with Albuquerque after being demoted in July. Those numbers make Dollander a risky fantasy proposition, even in more favorable matchups like the one he'll have Monday against the Cardinals.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Dispatched to minors
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The Rockies optioned Dollander to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.
Dollander has failed to gain any traction in his first 15 major-league starts, putting up a 6.68 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 52:33 K:BB over 68.2 innings. Unsurprisingly, most of his struggles have occurred at Coors Field, where he's held a 9.37 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in eight starts. The move to send Dollander down now could have been made in part to manage his workload around the All-Star break, as the Rockies can get by with four starters this week if they so choose. He should get another opportunity in the majors at some point in the second half.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Walks four in short outing
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Dollander did not factor in the decision during Sunday's win over the White Sox. He allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings while striking out two.
Dollander worked through two scoreless frames with little issue before unraveling. He coughed up a pair of runs in the third inning and another in the fourth. He fired 92 pitches (50 strikes) despite not finishing four innings. Dollander has combined to throw 6.1 frames over his last two outings and has failed to complete five innings in eight of his 15 big-league outings. He now owns an unsightly 6.68 ERA with a 52:33 K:BB across 68.2 frames. Dollander is currently in line for a start in Cincinnati next weekend.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Woes continue in ninth loss
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Dollander (2-9) took the loss Tuesday, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.2 innings in a 6-5 loss against the Astros. He struck out one.
The right-hander was undone by a five-run third inning capped by a Victor Caratini grand slam. Dollander entered the league as a highly regarded prospect in part due to his electric fastball, which averages 97.6 mph, but he's struggled to turn that into consistent results, posting just a 6.9 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9. Through 14 starts, the rookie owns a 6.65 ERA and 1.51 WHIP across 65 innings.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Delivers quality start
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Dollander didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Washington, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with two strikeouts over six innings.
Dollander snared a second consecutive quality start Thursday, displaying excellent command despite having walked multiple batters in nine of his previous 10 starts. It was a revenge game for the 23-year-old rookie, who gave up nine runs (six earned) in an appearance against the Nationals back in April. In 56.2 innings, Dollander owns a 6.19 ERA and 48:25 K:BB this year. He's on track to face the Dodgers for his next start.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Struggles early in loss
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Dollander (2-6) took the loss against the Mets on Sunday, allowing five runs on eight hits and one walk with three strikeouts over three innings.
Dollander worked a scoreless first inning before surrendering five runs across the second and third. The rookie increased his pitch count from 59 to 78 in his second start since returning from the injured list Tuesday, but he's now allowed five or more earned runs in four of his first 10 major-league outings. He'll carry a 6.85 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 42:22 K:BB across 44.2 innings into a road matchup with Atlanta next weekend.
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Rockies' Chase Dollander: Set to start Sunday
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Dollander will start for Colorado against the Mets on Sunday.
The Rockies shifted their rotation around a bit, moving German Marquez to Saturday while tabbing Dollander to start Sunday. It's not clear when Carson Palmquist, who had originally been deemed Saturday's starter, will take his next turn, though Christian Saez of TheDNVR.com reports that the rookie isn't dealing with any sort of injury. Dollander last pitched Tuesday, so he'll be working on four days of rest Sunday.
