Colorado Rockies right-hander Jake Bird (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 23) with a right-groin strain prior to the team's game against the Houston Astros on June 26. It's Bird's second IL stint after he missed a month with right-elbow tightness, returning on June 17. He has gone 1-1 with one save and a 6.26 ERA in 22 games for the Rockies in 2024. "Bird threw [July 5]," manager Bud Black said on Sunday. "He's feeling good. He's close to getting out and getting back on the mound in competition, so we're excited about that. He feels good." It sounds like the 28-year-old reliever is close to being able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but even then, he's not going to be able to return to Colorado's bullpen until after the All-Star break next week.
Jake Bird Likely Needs Rehab Assignment Before Returning
Colorado Rockies right-hander Jake Bird (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with right-elbow inflammation, is likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Colorado's bullpen. Bird made a whopping 70 appearances out of the Rockies' bullpen in 2023 but has been inefficient so far in 2024 before getting hurt. He allowed four runs while walking six in his three appearances before landing on the injured list and has a 6.10 ERA (6.35 FIP), a 1.74 WHIP, his first career save, 15 walks and 12 strikeouts in 20 2/3 relief innings this year. "We need to figure out what was going on, and we haven't quite got there yet mechanics-wise," manager Bud Black said. Righty Matt Koch finished off last year strong for Colorado and will replace Bird in the bullpen for now. He was 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 21 1/3 innings over 18 outings for Triple-A Albuquerque.
