The Colorado Rockies' left-hander Kyle Freeland exited Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres after experiencing soreness in his pitching shoulder. Right-hander Jimmy Herget replaced him, delivering a 24-pitch first inning that included a leadoff hit batter and a sacrifice fly. Herget struggled with command, allowing three hits and two runs in the opening frame.

Chase Dollander and Valente Bellozo followed, but the Padres capitalized on early momentum with three runs in the first two innings. Freeland, 32, has a 1-1 record with a 2.30 ERA across three starts this season, though his outing highlights ongoing durability concerns. The Rockies' rotation depth was tested, with Herget and Dollander combining for 6⅓ innings but failing to contain San Diego's lineup.

The absence of Freeland raises questions about his availability for upcoming series, particularly as the Rockies navigate a critical stretch against division rivals. His shoulder issue comes amid a season where he's pitched 15⅔ innings with mixed results, underscoring the volatility of his 2026 campaign.