Rockies' Betancourt injures elbow
Less than a week after Rafael Betancourt returned from the disabled list, the Colorado Rockies closer apparently suffered a more serious injury Thursday.
After blowing a save for the second game in a row, Betancourt came out of the game in Philadelphia with what the team called a sprained right elbow. According to the Denver Post, the Rockies are concerned Betancourt tore an elbow ligament, and they will send him for an MRI exam Monday.
Betancourt will be placed back on the DL, the Post reported.
A groin injury cost Betancourt most of June, and he sat out another month after undergoing an appendectomy July 19. He was activated from the disabled list Saturday, and he regained his ninth-inning role after one eighth-inning appearance.
Betancourt saved a Colorado win Tuesday at Philadelphia, but he allowed two runs to blow a save and the game Wednesday.
On Thursday, Betancourt again entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead, and again he was tagged with the loss. With two outs, he allowed a double to Jimmy Rollins, who stole third base. Michael Young's infield hit scored Rollins to tie the game, and Betancourt exited.
Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis entered and walked Chase Utley. Domonic Brown then lined the first pitch he saw into right field, and Young beat the throw home from Michael Cuddyer to give the Phillies a 5-4 win.
