Rockies’ Jordan Lyles suffers broken left hand

Jordan Lyles has become the Colorado Rockies’ number two starter with his numbers in the first third of the season. Lyles is 5-1 with a 3.52 ERA. The 23-year old right hander suffered a broken bone in his left hand during a play at the plate in the first inning of the Rockies’ game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

When Lyles threw a wild pitch with Martin Prado on third, Prado headed for home. Lyles ran to the plate to tag him out and as he did Prado slid into his gloved left hand, bending it backwards. Lyles knew he was hurt but thought it was his wrist. After some preliminary x-rays should no damage to his wrist, Lyles proceeded to pitch another three innings before exiting the game.

Even though the x-rays should nothing in his wrist, Lyles knew something wasn’t right, saying later,

"“I knew something was wrong. I couldn’t catch the ball back from the catcher. After that, I came back in and I knew it was broken.”"

He left the game, with a broken bone in his left hand and his team down 4-0, having given up seven hits and two earned runs. The Rockies went on to lose to the Diamondbacks by the score of 16-8.

There is no timetable yet as to Lyles’ return. He is meeting with a doctor Thursday to determine the severity of the injury. He will be joining two of the Rockies’ other starting pitchers Brett Anderson and Tyler Chatwood on the disabled list.

Rockies’ manager Walt Weiss said matter-of-factly, 

"“He’s got a broken hand. So he’ll be out a bit.”"

Prior to the injury to Lyles, the Rockies had planned to call up Eddie Butler from Triple-A Colorado Springs to replace the struggling Franklin Morales who was recently moved to the bullpen. Butler will make his first start for the team on Friday.

With Lyles out the Rockies could turn back to Morales and re-insert him somewhere into their rotation. They also have options at the minor league level. Prospects Tyler Matzek from Triple-A or Jon Gray from Double-A Tulsa would be the most likely to come in to replace Lyles.