Rockies’ German Marquez returns to IL after first start since Tommy John surgery

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with right elbow inflammation, eight days after his first major league start since Tommy John surgery.

Marquez had the elbow operation on May 12, 2023. He returned on July 14, when he started and allowed three runs in four innings in the Rockies’ 8-5 win over the New York Mets.

After the All-Star break, Marquez felt tightness in his forearm during a bullpen session.

“German’s arm just didn’t bounce back from the start in New York,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “It stems from his last (rehab) game in Hartford and his game in New York, where his pitch count got up and the intensity was raised.”

Marquez, who threw 70 pitches against the Mets, will be shut down for several days before he resumes throwing.

“It’s probably the right thing to do to put him on the injured list,” Black said. “He was a little concerned about how he felt. He was a little bit tentative in his side (session) on Saturday. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully, just a couple of weeks.”

Marquez is 65-56 in nine major league seasons, all with Colorado. He made four starts in 2023 before having surgery.

Also Monday, Black said first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant is likely to be activated from the injured list Tuesday. Bryant has been sidelined since June 2 with rib and oblique injuries. The former NL MVP is batting .186 with two homers in 24 games.