Rockies' Daniel Bard: Pitching in low-leverage situations
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Bard allowed one hit and no runs across two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the Brewers.
The veteran right-hander has made five appearances since returning from the injured list April 19. He has yet to allow an earned run across five frames, though he also has just a 3:2 K:BB. Most importantly, Bard has pitched primarily in low-leverage situations and does not appear to be a contender for saves at this point. Pierce Johnson leads the team with four saves, with just one of those coming since Bard returned from the IL.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Comes off injured list
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The Rockies reinstated Bard (personal) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Bard returns to the Rockies after he was placed on the injured list hours before Opening Day after experiencing anxiety and struggling with command in both spring training and the World Baseball Classic. The right-hander has operated as the closer for the Rockies over the last two seasons, and while he should return to that role eventually, he may work in a few low-leverage situations to begin his 2023 campaign as he gets eased back in from the three-week absence. Bard looked sharp during his lone rehab outing at Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend, striking out three of the four batters he faced over a clean inning of relief.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Could be activated Tuesday
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Bard (personal) rejoined the Rockies in Denver on Monday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Bard was a surprise addition to the 15-day IL in the hours leading up to Opening Day after he had experienced anxiety and struggled with his command during the Cactus League and the World Baseball Classic, but he appears to be in a better spot both physically and mentally nearly three weeks later. At least from a performance standpoint, Bard looked to be dialed in during his rehab outing at Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, when he recorded three punchouts and allowed one hit and no walks over a scoreless 23-pitch, 17-strike inning. Whenever Bard is activated from the IL, he could be eased back in with a low-leverage outing or two, but he'll likely supplant Pierce Johnson as the team's preferred closer sooner rather than later.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Starting rehab stint
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Bard (personal) reported to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin a rehab assignment Sunday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
The veteran right-hander has been unavailable to begin the season due to anxiety issues, but he appears to closing in on his return from the injured list. If Bard feels good while pitching for the Isotopes, he could rejoin the Rockies sometime this week.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Faces live hitters
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Bard (personal) faced live hitters Tuesday for the first time since landing on the injured list March 30, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.
Bard remains on the 15-day injured list while he works through anxiety, but he's staying ready as part of a throwing progression and could perhaps feel well enough mentally to be activated before the end of April. Pierce Johnson has been serving as Colorado's primary closer in Bard's absence.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: With team, throws side session
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Bard, who is currently on the 15-day injured list while he experiences anxiety, remains with the Rockies and threw a bullpen session Saturday, MLB.com reports.
While Rockies manager Bud Black didn't offer a hint about when Bard might be back from the IL, the skipper noted that the right-hander's fastball reached 96 miles per hour in the session, only a couple ticks behind his average velocity in 2022. Black didn't go into specifics about how Bard's pitches looked from a control and command standpoint, however, which is noteworthy after the Rockies' projected closer struggled with locating his offerings and repeating his delivery during spring training and the World Baseball Classic. Bard notably battled the "yips" for a significant chunk of the seasons in his late 20s and early 30s before resurfacing in the majors in 2020 as a 35-year-old and becoming the Rockies' closer, so the organization is likely to proceed slowly with reintegrating him into games until both he and the coaching staff feel he's ready for the challenge. In Bard's absence, Pierce Johnson has converted the Rockies' lone save opportunity to date.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Goes on IL due to anxiety
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Bard said Thursday that he's starting the year on the 15-day IL due to anxiety, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.
Bard has a history of the yips -- it's partly why he didn't appear in a game at the MLB level between 2014-2019 -- and he said he's decided to be open and honest about his mental struggles. The 37-year-old right-hander had been set to operate as the Rockies' locked-in closer in 2023 after totaling 34 saves for the club last season. Dinelson Lamet, Pierce Johnson, and Brad Hand could all factor into the ninth-inning mix during Bard's absence.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Goes on IL due to anxiety
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Bard said Thursday that he's starting the year on the 15-day IL because of anxiety, Danielle Allentuck of the Denver Gazette reports.
Bard has a history of the yips -- it's partly why he didn't appear in a game at the MLB level between 2014-2019 -- and he said he's decided to be open and honest about his mental struggles. The 37-year-old right-hander had been set to operate as the Rockies' locked-in closer in 2023 after totaling 34 saves for the club last season. Dinelson Lamet, Pierce Johnson, Brad Hand and Brent Suter could all factor into the ninth-inning mix in Bard's absence.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Lands on 15-day IL
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Bard (undisclosed) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.
There's no word yet on the exact nature of the injury, but Bard struggled badly with his command in both the Cactus League and World Baseball Classic this spring. Maybe it's time for Dinelson Lamet to get a shot in the closer role for the Rockies. Piece Johnson, Brad Hand and Brent Suter are among the other options.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Gets vote of confidence
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Manager Bud Black said Monday he is not concerned with Bard's struggles during the World Baseball Classic, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reports.
Bard allowed eight earned runs across only 1.2 innings while pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. His inability to find the strike zone was particularly troubling -- he surrendered four free passes -- given his history of a high walk rate during his big-league career. Despite those concerns, Bard will enter the season as the Rockies' closer, though the team did bolster its bullpen with offseason additions such as Brad Hand and Pierce Johnson.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Back in action Saturday
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Bard (thumb) gave up a solo home run and struck out a batter during an inning of relief Saturday in the Rockies' 7-1 Cactus League win over the Mariners.
Jake Scheiner's long ball prevented the Rockies from claiming a shutout, but the team was likely just happy to have their presumptive closer back in action after he suffered a small cut on his right thumb during his prior appearance three days earlier. Assuming Bard experienced no setbacks with the thumb coming out of the relief outing, he'll likely join the American team later this week in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Exits with thumb laceration
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Bard was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League appearance against the Royals due to a small cut on his right thumb, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Bard struggled in the appearance, walking a pair while recording just one out. It doesn't sound like the laceration on his thumb is much of a concern, though. "It's early. He's still getting into shape. He's gotta get in shape a little bit sooner for the WBC. But he'll be fine," manager Bud Black said. Bard is due to leave to pitch for Team USA in the WBC in about a week and Black surely would like his closer to get in another Cactus League appearance or two before then.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Locks down 34th save
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Bard saved Tuesday's 5-2 win against the Dodgers, tossing a 1-2-3 ninth inning without a strikeout.
Bard made quick work of the Dodgers in the ninth inning, needing just six pitches to secure his second save in three days against Los Angeles. The 37-year-old threw 35 pitches Sunday, so Tuesday's punctual outing was necessary and could keep him in the mix to pitch again during Wednesday's season finale. Bard's scoreless inning streak is now at 15, with his last earned run coming Aug. 26.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Whiffs six in two-inning save
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Bard saved Sunday's 4-1 win against the Dodgers, allowing two hits while striking out six in two scoreless innings.
Bard entered a one-run game in the bottom of the eighth and struck out three after the first two batters reached on a hit and error. Colorado added two runs in the top of the ninth, and manager Bud Black opted to stick with the veteran for the bottom of the frame, when Bard struck out three more while permitting a one-out Justin Turner single. In total, Bard fired 27 of 35 pitches for strikes with eight of the swinging variety. The scoreless outing extends Bard's streak to 14 innings without an earned run, lowering his ERA and WHIP to 1.82 and 0.99.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Clean inning for save
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Bard struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Cubs.
Bard extended his scoreless streak to five innings, and he hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 10 frames. He needed 15 pitches (12 strikes) to set down the side in order Sunday. Bard continues to impress in 2022 with a 1.95 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 61:24 K:BB while converting 32 of 35 save chances across 55.1 innings.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Picks up another save
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Bard picked up the save in Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Cubs. He did not allow a run on one hit while striking out one over one inning.
Bard has not allowed an earned run over nine innings in his last eight outings and has surrendered just three hits during that span. The righty's 1.99 ERA over 54.1 innings this season is his best since he posted a 1.93 ERA over 74.2 innings in 2010.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Claims 30th save
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Bard earned a save versus the White Sox on Wednesday, striking out three batters over a perfect inning in the 3-0 win.
Bard was called upon with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, getting a three batters he faced to strike out swinging. The save was his 30th of the season, and he has now converted five straight opportunities. Overall, Bard is 30-for-33 on save chances and owns a 2.03 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 58 punchouts over 53.1 frames in 52 appearances this year.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Notches 29th save
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Bard earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.
Bard entered in the ninth with Colorado up by three runs and needed 16 pitches to retire Arizona in order. The veteran is up to 29 saves on the campaign, tied with Edwin Diaz for seventh-most in MLB. Bard faded in the second half last season but has been solid since the All-Star break this year, going 9-for-10 in save chances while posting a 2.16 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 16.2 innings.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Earns fifth win
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Bard (5-4) pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the win Friday against the Diamondbacks.
Bard entered the game with the score tied in the ninth inning and didn't allow a baserunner. Elias Diaz hit a three-run home run to give the Rockies a victory in the bottom of the frame, handing Bard his fifth win of the season. Bard has turned in five consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, and he's tallied two wins and two saves in that span. For the season, Bard has maintained a 2.10 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with a 54:24 K:BB across 51.1 innings.
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Rockies' Daniel Bard: Records another save
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Bard picked up the save in a perfect inning Tuesday against Atlanta. He struck out two.
The Rockies' closer made quick work of the top of the Atlanta lineup, setting down Dansby Swanson, Michael Harris and Austin Riley in order to record his 28th save of the season. The save was his sixth this month and second in as many games for Colorado. While his team has struggled to just 56 wins on the campaign, Bard has made the most of his chances as he has recorded the save in half of those games and has been a big reason why the Rockies are 20-21 in one-run games.
