Victor

Vodnik

Kinley has mostly been very good in the second half, and he reemerged as the Rockies’ closer when Victor Vodnik was hurt, but he’s done for the year now after giving up three runs with the Rockies already losing Thursday. Vodnik will probably be the favorite for saves the rest of the way.

Vodnik surrendered a game-tying three-run homer, only to wind up with the victory after the Rockies scored four times in the bottom of the eighth. Vodnik is currently working in a setup role in front of Tyler Kinley, so there’s no sense in using him in mixed leagues right now. He should be unavailable Saturday after making his third appearance in four days tonight.

Kinley allowed a walk and an infield single before striking out Zach McKinstry to end the game. Viktor Vodnik, who was closing before getting hurt last month, pitched a scoreless seventh in this one. It’s still possible the Rockies could go back to Vodnik before the end of the month, but they don’t seem to be in any hurry to do so.

Vodnik, who was out with biceps inflammation, made one rehab appearance, pitching a scoreless inning for Double-A Hartford on Friday. He’ll likely return to the closer’s role for the Rockies, though perhaps not for his first few days back. Tyler Kinley is 4-for-4 saving games in his place, but he did have a disastrous outing to blow a four-run lead against the Marlins on Aug. 27.

Vodnik threw a successful bullpen session on Tuesday and will head to Double-A Hartford later this week to kick off a rehab assignment. The 24-year-old, who appears to have taken over as Colorado’s closer, hit the injured list back in late August with right bicep inflammation. He should be ready to return by mid-September.

This one is on Bud Black, who had the 24-year-old Vodnik leading the majors in pitches thrown among relievers even though the Rockies haven’t played a meaningful game in years. Tyler Kinley is probably first in line for saves in the Colorado pen now, but tread carefully.

Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters after turning to rookie Angel Chivilli to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning on Tuesday night that Vodnik experienced shoulder soreness while warming up and was shut down after alerting the club’s medical staff. The 24-year-old stopper will be re-evaluated over the next few days and could wind up requiring a trip to the injured list.

None of this was known until Angel Chivilli was called on to save a 3-1 win on Tuesday instead of Vodnik. Vodnik will be evaluated by the medical staff over the next few days and could wind up on the IL. At minimum, it seems he won’t be available out of the bullpen for the next few days.

Vodnik got just one swing and miss on his 18 pitches today, but the Padres couldn’t do any damage against him. He’s 9-for-10 saving games since early July. It’s been a breakthrough season for the 24-year-old, but we do wonder how much he’ll have left in the tank in September. He currently leads everyone in the majors with 1,178 pitches thrown in relief, and his 64 2/3 innings are the most he’s thrown since 2019 when he was in A-ball.

It’s Vodnik’s first blown save in nine tries since he became the Rockies’ primary closer, though this is also his second bad outing in a week; he gave up three runs after coming into a tie game to take a loss last Wednesday. He’s still probably the favorite for saves in the Colorado pen for now, but this may open things back up again.