The Warming Bernabel story keeps getting hotter.
The Rockies’ rookie first baseman was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday. That’s a pretty big deal. The fact that Bernabel won the award for his very first week in the majors makes it a huge deal.
“I (thought) I could (succeed) as a player, but to do that in the first week, I think anyone can say that’s very surprising,” the 23-year-old Bernabel said.
Boston shortstop Trevor Story, the former Rockies All-Star, was named American League Player of the Week.
Bernabel, who made his debut on July 26, slashed .462/.462/.923 (12 for 26) with two homers, four doubles, a triple, seven RBIs over six games. The Dominican Republic native tied for the major league lead in extra-base hits (seven) and total bases (24); ranked second in slugging; tied for second in hits and doubles; and ranked third in OPS (1.385).
“It’s incredible, it’s special,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “That’s what every kid dreams of, to go out there and make a contribution and get accolades for it. It’s his first week in the big leagues, and he’s done everything to deserve it. I’m just happy for him. I know the boys are happy for him.”
In Colorado’s wild, 17-16 win over Pittsburgh on Friday night at Coors Field, Bernabel had a career-high four hits, drove in four runs, scored two runs, and fell a double short of hitting for the cycle. He became the second-youngest player in franchise history with four hits and four RBIs in a single game, trailing shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who had four hits and four RBIs on June 8 last season at St. Louis.
Bernabel is the first Rockie to win the award since center fielder Brenton Doyle won last July. Bernabel is Colorado’s first rookie to win since Nolan Jones on October 2, 2023.
Good news for Halvorsen. Closer Seth Halvorsen was all smiles in the clubhouse before the Rockies hosted Toronto at Coors Field Monday night. The right-hander had just received the results of an MRI on his right elbow, and the news was relatively good.
“All I can say right now is that I got encouraging comments,” said the 25-year-old Halvorsen, who had Tommy John surgery in 2019 after making four relief appearances as a freshman at Missouri.
Schaeffer was more specific about Halvorsen’s injury, saying that the hard-throwing right-hander “doesn’t necessarily need surgery.”
“It’s a mild flexor strain, which is a good report from an MRI,” Schaeffer said. “There is a chance he can pitch again this year. But he’s down for a little bit. I asked Doogie (head trainer Keith Dugger) if Seth would pitch again this year, and he said yes.”
Halvorsen abruptly left Colorado’s game against Pittsburgh on Saturday night after throwing just five pitches in the ninth inning. Halvorsen, whose fastball hit 103 mph earlier this season, is 1-2 with a 4.99 ERA over 39 2/3 innings this season. He’s struck out 36 and walked 21. He has 11 saves in 14 opportunities.
K-Free bumped. Lefty starter Kyle Freeland was initially scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Blue Jays, but his start was bumped back to Wednesday because he’s still dealing with a nasty head cold or possibly a sinus infection. Freeland’s illness limited him to three innings in Colorado’s 5-0 loss to the Guardians in Cleveland on Wednesday.
Right-hander Anthony Molina, currently pitching at Triple-A Albuquerque, is now scheduled to start Tuesday night’s game. Molina is 4-5 with a 6.59 ERA in 15 starts for the Isotopes.
Freeland is hopeful he’ll be near full strength by Wednesday.
“The virus, infection, whatever it is, got me good,” he said Monday. “I’m still a little short of breath. It’s kind of tough to get a deep breath, and I’m still trying to clear stuff out of my head, with the mucus and everything. But every day is better.”
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