German Marquis’ season in the Rockies ends with Tommy John surgery

CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 26: Deutsch Marquis #48 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after being hit during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

German right Marquez’s long-term future in Colorado, and the faltering Rockies’ short-term outlook, became even more uncertain on Tuesday.

Marquez, the team’s opening player, said he will have Tommy John surgery, ending his 2023 season. It’s very possible that Marquez, 28, has thrown his last pitch with the Rockies.

“I just thought this was coming,” said an emotional Marquez on Tuesday afternoon at the Rockies. “I’ll get through this, but it’s hard.”

Marquez does not yet know when he will have the operation.

The Rockies’ starting rotation lacked quality depth, so losing Marquez for the rest of the season is “a big blow,” said manager Bud Black.

Two new players will join the rotation this week, with right-hander Conor Siebold set to play Thursday afternoon against Milwaukee at Corus Field and Antonio Cinzatella scheduled to start Friday against the New York Mets. Colorado uses Seabold as a long reliever, while Senzatela will make his 2023 debut after recovering from left knee surgery to repair the torn ACL he suffered last August.

Typically, recovery time from Tommy John surgery and return to a big league pitch is 12 to 18 months. Marquez, however, is in the final year of his five-year, $43 million contract. Colorado has a $16.5 million option on his contract for 2024. There’s a $2.5 million buyout. So his future in baseball is uncertain.

Marquez said he doesn’t want to look that far, but Black hopes the right fielder, who was an All-Star in 2021, can stay with the Rockies.

“Sure, I hope so,” Black said. “I can’t speak for him, but I think he (wants to stay) too.”

Marquis, who was hoping for a rebounding season from 2022 when he went 9-13 with a 4.95 ERA, had a solid spring training season, and three of his four starts this season have been strong, even though his ERA was 4.95. He has 983 career strikeouts, which leaves him three short of passing lefty Jorge de la Rosa for the franchise record.

Marquis debuted in 2016 and posted a record of 65-56 and a 4.41 ERA in 176 games (173 starts). His 65 wins are third in franchise history behind De La Rosa (86) and Aaron Cook (72).

Black doubted the team would lose Marquez, but hoped the news wasn’t bad.

“But I kind of knew instinctively,” Black admitted. “The German is disappointed, but now he knows what awaits him. He’s disappointed, he’s upset, but I think in terms of perspective, he’s in a decent place.”

He’s dealing with the news, Marquez said, adding that now is the right time to fix his elbow.

“I could have had a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection but if I waited two months and tried to come back, I could get hurt again,” Marquez said. “So I think this is the right time to take care of that.”

On Friday, Marquez was placed on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season. He initially landed on the IL due to right forearm inflammation. On Thursday, an MRI revealed inflammation in his right elbow and Marquez said he expected to be out for about six weeks, though he feared he would need Tommy John surgery.

Black believes Marquis has the passion and work ethic to come back strong.

“He’s got a lot of good work,” Black said. “It’s up to him, but I suspect he’ll go full speed. Not only will he do an elbow rehabilitation but there’s an element to staying in shape.”

Noah Davis update. Right-hander Noah Davis was placed on the IL for 15 days on Sunday with a sore right elbow. On Tuesday he said he was “encouraged” after meeting with the team doctors and coaches on Monday.

Black said, “I agree.” “It will take some time. He will rest for a few weeks. I don’t know the exact schedule and when he will start playing basketball and doing baseball activities, but they were encouraged by the tests and what his elbow area looked like.”