SEATTLE -- Rockies lefty Mike Dunn hopes the next week begins to offer answers to roving pain that has been limiting his availability and effectiveness this season.
Dunn on Saturday was placed on the 10-day disabled list with inflammation in his left A/C joint in the shoulder. He had made just two appearances after returning from a rhomboid (upper back) strain.
Pain has been prevalent in his back and shoulder this season, so Dunn will undergo an MRI when the team returns to Denver. The medical and athletic training teams are expected to spend the next week searching for answers.
Dunn, who signed a three-year, $19 million contract before last season (and spent part of last year on the DL with a back issue) is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA in 25 outings this year.
"Off the charts," Dunn said when asked about his frustration level. "I want to pitch. I want to help these guys out. It's like every time something flares up, we get it under control and then it's something else. We need to get it figured out. We need to get it fixed so when I do come back, it's done. I can just go. My mind can be free and I can throw with no pain."
The Rockies recalled lefty Jerry Vasto, who gave up three runs in two-thirds of an inning in his only Major League appearance, from Triple-A Albuquerque. Additionally, left-handed-hitting first baseman-outfielder Jordan Patterson was recalled from Albuquerque for his first Major League appearance since 2016, while catcher Tom Murphy is on paternity leave. Patterson was hitting .265 with 19 homers and 52 RBIs at Triple-A.
Dunn, 33, said the shoulder and back issues have prevented him from his normal health maintenance program this season. At one point he had nine straight scoreless appearances, but his statistics have taken a severe hit since the injuries. He has made just two appearances since coming off the DL. One was a scoreless two-thirds of an inning, but in the other he gave up a run on two hits and a walk, and managed just one out.
Dunn couldn't complete a bullpen session before Friday's game.
Rockies manager Bud Black commended Dunn for battling through pain, but after that last outing -- in Tuesday's 8-1 victory over the Giants -- he knew it was time.
"Not only do you talk to them but you've got to watch them perform, watch their pregame stuff, and we noticed something's just not right," Black said. "It's time to take a step back. With a lot of players, it's hard for them to pull the plug and say, 'I'm not right.'"
Several relievers are battling issues:
• Righty Bryan Shaw, who signed for three years and $27 million, missed his 12th game Saturday with a right calf strain, which likely has contributed to his 7.57 ERA and eight home runs allowed. In his first injury rehab appearance for Albuquerque on Friday, Shaw gave up a home run, a double, a walk and threw a wild pitch in one inning.
• Righty Carlos Estevez, who hasn't pitched in the Majors this season, entered Saturday having thrown five times at Albuquerque on a rehab assignment for a right elbow injury. Black said Estevez, who has been scored upon in three of his five games since his return, "needs more time." Estevez has not pitched on consecutive days.
• Lefty Zachary Rosscup, who hasn't thrown in the Majors this season because of a left middle finger blister, has a 1.23 ERA in nine appearances at Albuquerque and is "doing fine -- his blister is to the point now that it's a non-issue."
Bettis throwing
Righty Chad Bettis, on the disabled list since a blister problem flared last Sunday, played catch Saturday -- for the second straight day -- with a bandage on his finger. He would not be allowed to wear the bandage in games, but he is throwing to keep his arm in shape. The hope is he can be available on July 13, which is the first time the Rockies would need a fifth member of the rotation.