Ottavino goes on DL; LeMahieu set for at-bats

DENVER -- Right-hander Adam Ottavino -- whose .092 batting average against is second-lowest among Major League relievers -- landed on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain, and righty reliever Scott Oberg was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque, the Rockies announced Monday.
Also, Rockies manager Bud Black announced Monday that second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who has missed 13 games with a left thumb injury, will go to Scottsdale, Ariz., for a couple of days in extended spring games, then possibly be activated. LeMahieu has a slash line of .279/.350/.457 with five home runs from the No. 1 and No. 2 batting-order positions.
Ottavino, 32, last pitched Sunday, when he recorded two outs in an 8-2 victory over the Reds. Upon learning of the strain, which is considered mild, the club decided to rest Ottavino to keep it from worsening.
In addition to holding opponents to 8-for-87, he ranks fifth in the National League among relievers with an 0.95 ERA and has 45 strikeouts (third in the Majors) among 99 batters faced.
Oberg, 28, began the year with the Rockies but was optioned on April 24 with a 6.55 ERA in 10 appearances. At Albuquerque, Oberg posted a 1.88 ERA in 12 appearances with two saves and 13 strikeouts against two walks.
The Rockies hope for a similar comeback to the one Oberg fashioned late last season. Oberg bounced between the Majors and Triple-A, but in September he posted a 2.03 ERA in 14 appearances.
If he is right, the Rockies could benefit from Oberg's success as a fireman. Last year, just six of 38 inherited runners (15.8 percent) scored. This year before the option, 11 of 13 (84.6 percent) scored.