Rockies painful and strange 2012 continues

Juan Nicasio

Pitcher Juan Nicasio looked like a potential strong middle-of-the-rotation starter after being called up from Double-A Tulsa last season, before a near-fatal injury on the mound against Washington. Nicasio not only survived he made it back to the Rockies in 2012. Ineffective, then injured again, Nicasio is now done for season again.

Nicasio had surgery on his left knee and now must rehabilitate again and wait for 2013. He will be 26 when he reports to spring training and owner of a career mark of 6-7, with a 4.65 ERA in 24 starts.

Nicasio has 4 starts of average-to-strong quality this season but 7 outings were poor. In contrast, in 2011, 7 of 13 starts were solid-to-strong efforts.

If Nicasio is well, you know he will mentally tough to compete again. He still has to work on his command and breaking balls. The ceiling to be an effective starter is there.

Chris Nelson

In other new, infielder Chris Nelson was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat.

He's had his best season, hitting .256 with 5 homers and 23 RBI.