Chase Dollander of the Colorado Rockies has been diagnosed with a minor UCL sprain in his right elbow, avoiding serious injury. He has been placed on the 15-day injured list but remains optimistic about his recovery.
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 14: Chase Dollander #32 of the Colorado Rockies leaves the game with medical staff in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 14: Chase Dollander #32 of the Colorado Rockies leaves the game with medical staff in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Friday afternoon, Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander spoke with the media about a right elbow injury that led to him being removed from yesterdayâs game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and being placed on the 15-day injured list today.
Dollander described his injury as âjust a very minor UCL sprain. Thatâs just what the MRI showed. I have a little information around the ligament, nothing to be too concerned about. Just thanking God that it wasnât more than that. Obviously, itâs probably the best case scenario. Trying to look at the positive side.â
This comes as good news for both Rockies fans and for Dollander, who looked despondent in the locker room after yesterdayâs game.
âIf anything happens in that area, your mind automatically goes to the worst case scenario,â Dollander explained. âBut you know, as I started to sit with it and talk to some people, I kind of knew going into the MRI this morning that it probably wasnât what I thought it was. So again, thank God that it wasnât. This could be a very different conversation.â
Dollander mentioned that he had experienced some discomfort following his last start against the .
âI started to feel it right after , but as I threw it kind of went away,â he said.
âAnd then for whatever reason [on Thursday] it just never went away. So Iâm glad the trainer saw it and came out and got me because, me, I would have stayed out there and possibly could have blown myself out.â
Dollander told the media he spoke with his agent, his off-season pitching coach, and some of his other friends. They helped assuage his concerns.
âThey all said typically itâs just one pitch, one moment, and you feel a nervy kind of sensation in your fingers,â described Dollander. âI never felt that.â
He further discussed the advice he got that helped him calm down.
âItâs the worst-case scenario, you know, but thatâs where my head was at with it,â Dollander said. âI never want to say it (Tommy John), but they were just trying to calm my nerves and stuff. So it helped a lot.â
One of the friends Dollander spoke to was two-time . Dollander has been . McClanahan has had Tommy John surgery twice, most recently missing the 2024 season because of it.
âHe reached out to me and made sure I was okay,â Dollander said. âHe just told me âDonât overthink it. Just wait for the results and go from there. Heâs very good with advice like that.â
Dollander was placed on the 15-day injured list this afternoon, though he doesnât know when heâll return to action.
âWeâre still waiting for some answers and some things like that,â he said. âHopefully weâll have a timetable here soon, but the main thing is just not to rush, to make sure it doesnât turn into something it doesnât need to be.â
The 24-year-old former ninth overall pick also took a moment to reflect on his season so far.
âThe past couple of outings havenât really gone the way I intended them to go,â he said. âBut Iâm just constantly learning, constantly on the attack, and making sure that I am where I need to be. I feel like so far itâs been good, but thereâs definitely room for improvements there.â
Q&A
What injury did Chase Dollander suffer during the game?
Chase Dollander suffered a minor UCL sprain in his right elbow.
How long will Chase Dollander be out due to his injury?
Chase Dollander has been placed on the 15-day injured list, but a specific return timetable has not been established yet.
What did the MRI reveal about Chase Dollander's elbow injury?
The MRI showed a very minor UCL sprain with some information around the ligament, indicating no major concerns.
Who provided support to Chase Dollander during his injury concerns?
Chase Dollander received support from his agent, his off-season pitching coach, and friends, including two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan.
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