Rockies’ Kyle Freeland taking big steps toward return from shoulder injury – The Denver Post

Searing pain has been replaced by soaring joy as Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland moves closer to rejoining the team.

Tuesday, speaking to media for the first time since he strained his shoulder during a Cactus League game on March 23, Freeland admitted that he was scared when he doubled over in pain on the mound after throwing a pitch against Oakland.

“It felt like a knife got put in the back of my shoulder,” he said. “Right when I released that curve, it was no feeling that you want to have or you want to see.”

At the time of the injury, manager Bud Black called it “gut-wrenching.” At the time, Freeland agreed with that description.

“Because in that moment, you don’t know exactly what’s wrong,” Freeland said.

Fortunately for Freeland, there was no major damage to his shoulder and he’s getting closer to pitching in games. While there is no exact timetable for his return, the lefty said he’s “absolutely certain” he will pitch in a game for the Rockies this season.

“I feel great, first and foremost,” Freeland said. “That’s the main thing I’m happy about. I’ve tried to stay as positive as I possibly can throughout this process.”

Freeland threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday, throwing at about 85% effort. He threw another BP on Tuesday, ramping up the intensity, though he stuck to fastballs and changeups. His next step is to pitch in a simulated game at Coors Field next week when the Rockies return from their road trip.

Black called Freeland’s Tuesday bullpen session “outstanding.”

“I thought he threw the ball great,” Black said. “He had good velocity on his fastball and good action on his changeup. I’m excited for him. And he feels good too, mentally and physically.”

Freeland, of course, wants to return as soon as possible, but he’s going to consult with head trainer Keith Dugger and be smart about his return.

“We are pushing, but at the same time being cautious,” Freeland said. “We want to get me back as soon as possible, but at the same time have no setbacks and no lingering issues.”

Black said he’s seen Freeland’s mood elevate lately.

“What I have sensed in the last couple of weeks is presences of Kyle’s joyfulness, because he knows he’s back, he feels good,” Black said.

Tipping point. Black hinted Monday night that left-hander Austin Gomber might have been tipping his pitches to Giants hitters in the Rockies’ 12-0 loss at San Francisco. Gomber was bombed for nine earned runs on seven hits in a scant 1 2/3 innings.

Gomber didn’t think he was but said he would check out the video of his performance to see what it would reveal.

Black was purposely vague about the situation on Tuesday but did say that the Giants might have been stealing signs when they were on second base.

“We did dive into (video) but I’m going to keep those (things) inside our clubhouse walls,” Black said. “We did discern some things this afternoon through video, so we do look forward to continuing to work on that the next three or four days with Austin.

“Because some of the statistical numbers are alarming with guys on second base. I’m not going to tell you exactly what we have.”

Pitching in. Monday night, Josh Fuentes became the sixth position player in franchise history to pitch, tossing a scoreless eighth inning and allowing one hit. Fuentes joined Drew Butera (2020), Ian Desmond (2019), Mark Reynolds (2019), Todd Zeile (2002) and Brent Mayne (2000) as emergency pitchers. Fuentes joined Desmond, Zeile and Mayne as the only ones to toss a scoreless inning.

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