Colorado Rockies Reliever To Miss 4-To-6 Weeks

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black says that an unfortunately-timed left oblique strain has put an end to the World Baseball Classic hopes of right-handed reliever Jake Bird.

#Rockies right-handed reliever Jake Bird has a left oblique strain and will be sidelined for an indefinite amount of time. He won't be able to pitch for Israel in the WBC.
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) February 21, 2023

Bird was looking forward to pitching for Israel in the WBC, but that's off the table now. In fact, according to Black, "it's going to be close" for Bird to be ready in time for the start of the regular season. The four-to-six week timeline for recovery will take him to the end of March, most likely, right around Opening Day.

The 27-year-old reliever made his big league debut last season and in 38 appearances posted a 4.91 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 42:23 K/BB ratio over 47.2 innings.

The groundball pitcher only made his debut in June, but became a frequent call for Black out of the Rockies' bullpen.

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