Thursday Farm Report: Rosscup Begins Rehab One Batter at a Time

Left-hander Zac Rosscup, out since spring training because of a wart on his left middle finger, began a minor-league rehab assignment with AAA Albuquerque on Wednesday, striking out the only batter he faced, which was the original plan. The Rockies want to be careful not to aggravate the situation with the wart.

With Memphis en route to an 11-0, Rosscup came on to pitch in the seventh inning, and struck out cleanup hitter Patrick Wisdom on five pitches.

The Rockies also are being careful because he missed the entire 2016 season because of left shoulder debridement surgery. He pitched in only 39 games and a total of 48 innings between the big leagues and minor leagues with the Cubs and Rockies organization in 2017.

Rosscup was acquired from the Cubs on June 26 last season in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Carasiti. He made 12 appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque, and in three stints at the big-league level appeared in nine games for the Rockies, allowing four runs in seven innings. He was unscored upon in six appearances after being called up in September, and held left-handed hitters hitless in 15 at-bats.

In Wednesday's Games

AAA Albuquerque (32-33) lost 11-0 to Memphis. Nelson Gonzalez (2-1, 6.37) allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings. Jordan Patterson (.258) doubled for the only extra-base hit among the five hits by the Isotopes, who were shutout for the third time in four games.

AA Hartford (36-34) won 3-0 against Erie. Left-hander Evan Grills, in his second start after missing last season with Tommy John surgery, allowed two hits and a walk, striking out six in five innings. Dom Nunez (.198) hit a two-run home run in the fourth, and Chris Rabago (.216) tripled and scored on a single from Wes Rogers (.200) in the fifth. Matt Pierpont earned his 16th save.

High A Lancaster (31-35) won 4-3 at Inland Empire. The Jethawks rallied for a four-run fourth to erase a 3-0 deficit. In the rally, 10 Lancaster batters reached base. Steve Linkous (.286) delivered a two-run single. Colton Welker (.301) singled home a run, and scored on a single by Willie Abreu (.279), who ran his hitting streak to nine games. Ty Culbreth (2-3, 6.69) earned the win, allowing three runs in seven innings, striking out seven. Reid Humphreys ran his scoreless inning streak to 15 innings, and earned his 13th save.

Low A Asheville (26-39) won 4-3 in 11 innings at Charleston. Antonio Santos (4.13) worked 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on two hits and a walk. He struck out four, and retired 23 of 26 batters faced. Tommy Doyle (3-4, 4.15) earned the win in relief. Chad Spanberger (.316) hit his 17th home run, a two-run shot in the third. Taylor Snyder (.279) delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly.