Juan Nicasio hits disabled list

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee strain. He left the game yesterday with that injury, and former Oakland Athletics pitcher Guillermo Moscoso, who started the season poorly, has been called up to take his place on the roster. The amount of time that Nicasio will be out is still a mystery, and Moscoso will likely replace Nicasio in the rotation.

Guillermo Moscoso was acquired from the Athletics in the lopsided Seth Smith deal that certainly favored the A’s. Moscoso was one of two fly ball pitchers acquired in the deal by the Rockies, and he was viewed as a poor fit for Coors.

Sure enough, last year’s 1.3 WAR breakout performer at the back of the rotation in a pitcher-friendly park was off to a poor start with his new outfit. Moscoso was unlucky with the 11.57 ERA that he had in just 9.1 innings, but he looked awful and served up homers on a platter.

Here’s the thing, Moscoso has a career GB% under 30% (huge warning flag, especially in Coors), and his strikeout rate is around 6.1 or so. He calmed down a little bit in 50.1 MiLB innings and should end up with a 4.80 ERA. He isn’t terrible by any means, but he is below-average and is in his proper role with the Rockies; as a spot-starter.

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