UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Colorado Rockies closer Seth Halvorsen exited Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to a concerning elbow injury. The hard-throwing right-hander left the field after throwing just five pitches in the ninth inning, casting a shadow over the Rockies’ 8-5 victory.
Halvorsen, who leads the Rockies with 11 saves, faced pinch hitter Spencer Horwitz when he suddenly stumbled after delivering a blistering 99 mph fastball. Interim manager Warren Schaeffer expressed deep concern, stating, “It don’t look good. I’ll let you know more tomorrow.”
The injury occurred at 6:30 PM MDT, with Colorado holding an 8-4 lead at the time. After bending over and dangling his right arm, Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Duggar rushed to the mound to assess Halvorsen’s condition. Following a brief discussion, Halvorsen was pulled from the game, leading to pitcher Dugan Darnell finishing the inning.
Before this incident, Schaeffer confirmed that Halvorsen had not reported any issues leading into the game. “Not recently, but he was feeling something a while back, but he’s been good for a while,” Schaeffer noted, highlighting the suddenness of the injury.
Halvorsen has been a pivotal player for the Rockies since taking over as the main closer in June, converting nine of his last ten save opportunities. His performance has been a bright spot for a team struggling with a 30-80 record, as they aim to avoid setting a modern-era record for losses.
As the Rockies continue their season, the potential loss of Halvorsen could be devastating. Fans and players alike will be anxiously awaiting updates on his condition, with the next report expected from Schaeffer on Sunday. Stay tuned for more developments on this breaking story.