DETROIT — Right-hander Jordan Lyles hasn’t pitched since the fourth inning of a June 4 game against Arizona at Coors Field. That’s when he fractured a bone in his left hand while covering a play at the plate.
Lyles never thought he’d be out of action this long, but he finally gets to start again Wednesday night when the Rockies host the Cubs. He’s trying to make up for lost time.
“It’s not fun being out that long,” said Lyles, who was 5-1 with a 3.52 ERA at the time of his injury. “We have struggled starting pitching-wise, though we have done a better job since the (all-star) break. It was not always easy staying back in Denver and watching all of the games on TV.”
Lyles, 24, threw 65 pitches during his final rehab game with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday, then immediately threw a 20-pitch bullpen session after the game.
“Everything is good,” he said. “I’m not sure how far I’ll go Wednesday, but hopefully it will be a normal start for me.”
The Rockies have used a left-handed starter in 19 consecutive games. That number will turn to 20 on Tuesday when Brett Anderson faces the Cubs at Coors Field. Manager Walt Weiss said he will be glad to get Lyles’ right arm and effective sinkerball back in action.
“It will be good to have him back,” Weiss said. “Jordan was having a heck of a year. He’s probably at a point in his career where he could be at a turning point. He got to the big leagues at a very young age and fought through some very difficult times. I’ve felt like he’s turned the corner with us.”
Good-as-gold praise. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus got to see Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado up close and personal during the three-game series at Comerica Park that wrapped up Sunday.
Ausmus came away impressed, especially when Arenado completed two highlight-reel plays Sunday.
“He’s an excellent third baseman. He moves well. He has great body control,” Ausmus said. “The coaching staff was talking in the dugout that this guy is a premier defensive third baseman. He’s a legitimate Gold Glove third baseman.”
Arenado made a particularly sweet pickup and throw to nail Eugenio Suarez during the third inning.
“I was on camera and I probably didn’t react, but in my mind I was shaking my head like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ ” Ausmus said.
Footnotes. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (sprained right ankle) missed another game Sunday. A decision on whether to put him on the disabled list will come Tuesday. Weiss said he is confident Gonzalez can avoid a stint on the DL. … Weiss introduced catcher Wilin Rosario to Pudge Rodriguez, a 14-time all-star catcher, before Saturday’s game. Rodriguez has long been Rosario’s hero. “I don’t think Wilin will ever forget it,” Weiss said.
Looking ahead
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Cubs’ Travis Wood (7-9, 5.10 ERA) at Rockies’ Brett Anderson (1-3, 3.12), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Cubs’ Jake Arrieta (6-2, 2.11) at Rockies’ Jordan Lyles (5-1, 3.52), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 2.05) at Rockies’ Franklin Morales (5-6, 5.14 ), 1:10 p.m., no TV
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
